Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Shares Sold by PDS Planning Inc

PDS Planning Inc cut its stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) by 1.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,990 shares of the company’s stock after selling 122 shares during the quarter. PDS Planning Inc’s holdings in Novartis were worth $778,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of NVS. Human Investing LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novartis Stock Up 2.9 %

Shares of NVS opened at $112.24 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.04. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $105.65 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.54. The stock has a market capitalization of $229.41 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.09, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.53. Novartis AG has a one year low of $92.35 and a one year high of $120.92.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 23.56%. Equities research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were issued a $3.8695 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis’s payout ratio is currently 42.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NVS. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. Barclays reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Novartis from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, HSBC cut Novartis from a “hold” rating to a “reduce” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Novartis has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $123.38.

Novartis Company Profile

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.