Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA Takes Position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA acquired a new stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 19,772 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,924,000.

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

Novartis Price Performance

NVS stock traded up $0.37 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $107.89. The company had a trading volume of 308,189 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,548,740. The company has a market capitalization of $220.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Novartis AG has a 1-year low of $92.35 and a 1-year high of $120.92. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $108.96 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.38.

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

Novartis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were paid a $3.8695 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's payout ratio is 42.69%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. StockNews.com raised Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, February 8th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating on the stock. Finally, Barclays reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Novartis currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $123.38.

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.