Axxcess Wealth Management LLC Boosts Holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Axxcess Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 151.5% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 7,083 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,267 shares during the quarter. Axxcess Wealth Management LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $689,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in NVS. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $88,339,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Novartis by 17.4% during the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 2,002,959 shares of the company's stock worth $194,908,000 after acquiring an additional 296,950 shares during the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of Novartis by 128.1% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 528,682 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,554,000 after acquiring an additional 296,890 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis in the 3rd quarter valued at $30,063,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 4th quarter worth $225,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Novartis Price Performance

Shares of NVS traded down $0.30 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $110.08. The company had a trading volume of 1,903,972 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,471,186. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Novartis AG has a 12-month low of $92.35 and a 12-month high of $120.92. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $107.12 and a 200-day simple moving average of $107.24. The company has a market capitalization of $225.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.72, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.53.

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Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. Research analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Novartis Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th were issued a dividend of $3.8695 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's dividend payout ratio is presently 42.69%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on NVS. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. HSBC cut shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "reduce" rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "underweight" rating on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Novartis currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average 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.