Erste Asset Management GmbH Takes $19.45 Million Position in Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS)

Erste Asset Management GmbH purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 99,623 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $19,446,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of ZTS. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Zoetis during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new position in Zoetis during the third quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in Zoetis in the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Quarry LP lifted its holdings in Zoetis by 273.2% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 209 shares of the company's stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the period. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC boosted its position in Zoetis by 1,387.5% during the 3rd quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 238 shares of the company's stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.80% of the company's stock.

Zoetis Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:ZTS traded up $1.56 during trading on Monday, hitting $176.81. 2,391,526 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,545,078. The company has a quick ratio of 2.27, a current ratio of 3.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $183.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $180.97. Zoetis Inc. has a 52-week low of $144.80 and a 52-week high of $201.92. The company has a market cap of $79.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.69 and a beta of 0.89.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.12. Zoetis had a net margin of 26.55% and a return on equity of 51.98%. The company had revenue of $2.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $2.29 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.36 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts predict that Zoetis Inc. will post 5.9 EPS for the current year.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 3rd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, October 31st will be issued a $0.432 dividend. This represents a $1.73 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, October 31st. Zoetis's payout ratio is currently 32.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have recently commented on ZTS. Argus raised Zoetis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Friday, August 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of Zoetis from $225.00 to $230.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, October 11th. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $195.00 to $210.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 14th. BTIG Research raised their target price on shares of Zoetis from $220.00 to $225.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Finally, Leerink Partners assumed coverage on Zoetis in a research report on Monday. They set an "outperform" rating and a $215.00 price target on the stock. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $220.80.

Zoetis Profile

Zoetis Inc engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products and services in the United States and internationally. The company commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.