Street View: Colgate gets a smile-worthy outlook

Toothpaste maker Colgate-Palmolive CL.N forecast annual sales above Wall Street estimates on Friday, benefiting from steady demand for essential household staples in markets such as Latin America and Europe

Stock has "buy" rating on average from 22 analysts; median PT is $94, an upside of 4.1% to last close - data compiled by LSEG

SITTING PRETTY

TD Cowen ("buy," PT: $96) expects improvement driven by stronger momentum in Latin America, a favorable comparison after a past recall, reduced pressure from exiting private-label pet products, better trends in India and the timing of the Chinese New Year

Jefferies ("hold," PT: $91) says comparisons are easing, inventory is in better shape, productivity is improving and foreign-exchange movements are providing a tailwind

BofA Global Research ("buy," PO: $100) sees a path to stronger organic sales through the year, helped by easier comparisons as certain programs cycle, such as pet food business Hill’s exit from private-label, and by emerging markets outperforming ones

Morningstar (fair value: $87) expects Colgate to spend roughly the same share of sales on research and development and marketing over the next decade