Virtu Financial LLC Acquires New Position in Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX)

Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 18,320 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, valued at approximately $467,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Brooklyn Investment Group increased its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 1,006.9% in the fourth quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 963 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 876 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma by 417.6% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,087 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 877 shares during the last quarter. Riverview Trust Co lifted its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 3,953.3% in the 4th quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 1,216 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 1,186 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma by 187.1% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,530 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 997 shares during the period. Finally, Rakuten Securities Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma by 160.5% during the 4th quarter. Rakuten Securities Inc. now owns 1,628 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 1,003 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.35% of the company’s stock.

Royalty Pharma Stock Performance

NASDAQ RPRX opened at $33.76 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $19.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.28, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.44. Royalty Pharma plc has a 1-year low of $24.05 and a 1-year high of $34.20. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $32.40 and its 200-day simple moving average is $28.78.

Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 11th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.99 by $0.16. Royalty Pharma had a net margin of 37.94% and a return on equity of 24.40%. Equities analysts predict that Royalty Pharma plc will post 4.49 EPS for the current year.

Royalty Pharma Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $0.22 dividend. This is an increase from Royalty Pharma’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.61%. Royalty Pharma’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 60.69%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, TD Cowen raised Royalty Pharma to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, December 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Royalty Pharma currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $41.60.

Royalty Pharma Profile

Royalty Pharma plc operates as a buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a funder of innovations in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States. It is also involved in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of royalties on various biopharmaceutical therapies. In addition, the company collaborates with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and not-for-profits, small and mid-cap biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies.