Zacks Research Brokers Boost Earnings Estimates for Novartis

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) – Research analysts at Zacks Research raised their FY2024 earnings estimates for Novartis in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, December 12th. Zacks Research analyst E. Bagri now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $7.60 for the year, up from their prior forecast of $7.59. The consensus estimate for Novartis’ current full-year earnings is $7.65 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Novartis’ Q1 2025 earnings at $1.96 EPS, Q2 2025 earnings at $2.10 EPS and Q1 2026 earnings at $2.09 EPS.

Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. HSBC downgraded Novartis from a “hold” rating to a “reduce” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of Novartis from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 3rd. Bank of America cut shares of Novartis from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $135.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. Erste Group Bank restated a “hold” rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $121.00 price target (up previously from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and seven have given a hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Novartis presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $121.50.

Novartis Price Performance

Novartis stock opened at $99.10 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $202.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.51, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.56. Novartis has a one year low of $92.35 and a one year high of $120.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 1.11 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $107.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $110.23.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The company reported $2.06 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.94 by $0.12. Novartis had a net margin of 35.96% and a return on equity of 34.80%. The company had revenue of $12.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.62 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $1.74 EPS.

Institutional Trading of Novartis

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. New Millennium Group LLC bought a new stake in Novartis during the second quarter worth about $28,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC bought a new stake in Novartis in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Industrial Alliance Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Novartis in the second quarter worth approximately $30,000. Richardson Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in Novartis during the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Strategic Financial Concepts LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novartis during the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Novartis

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.