Coleford Investment Management Ltd. Makes New Investment in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Coleford Investment Management Ltd. purchased a new stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 142,062 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $13,824,000. Novartis comprises 3.6% of Coleford Investment Management Ltd.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of NVS. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the fourth quarter valued at $25,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in Novartis during the fourth quarter worth about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at about $47,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the fourth quarter worth about $51,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novartis Trading Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE:NVS traded up $1.12 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $111.66. The company had a trading volume of 671,788 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,552,714. 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 firm has a market cap of $228.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $109.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.19. Novartis AG has a 1-year low of $94.72 and a 1-year high of $120.92.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 23.56%. Research analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared 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 equities research analysts have weighed in on NVS shares. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novartis in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company 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.