Entropy Technologies LP Takes Position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Entropy Technologies LP bought a new position in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 9,938 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $967,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA acquired a new position in Novartis during the fourth quarter worth approximately $27,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its position in shares of Novartis by 503.8% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 320 shares of the company's stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Institutional investors own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Novartis Price Performance

NYSE:NVS traded down $2.28 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $105.43. 1,271,629 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,989,618. The company has a market capitalization of $215.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.58. Novartis AG has a 1-year low of $92.35 and a 1-year high of $120.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.90. The business has a 50 day moving average of $100.63 and a 200 day moving average of $108.33.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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%. Research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.42 EPS for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently commented on NVS. Erste Group Bank reaffirmed a "hold" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. HSBC downgraded Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "reduce" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. StockNews.com raised Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novartis in a research report on Wednesday. They set an "underweight" rating on the stock. Three equities 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus 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.