Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Stock Position Raised by Foresight Global Investors Inc.

Foresight Global Investors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 3.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 232,366 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 7,550 shares during the quarter. Novartis makes up 16.5% of Foresight Global Investors Inc.'s investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd biggest holding. Foresight Global Investors Inc.'s holdings in Novartis were worth $22,612,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Centaurus Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of Novartis by 1.7% during the third quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 5,728 shares of the company's stock worth $659,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the period. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Novartis by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 12,884 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,254,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in shares of Novartis by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 16,682 shares of the company's stock worth $1,623,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,161 shares of the company's stock worth $405,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Angeles Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Novartis by 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,249 shares of the company's stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the company's stock.

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Novartis Stock Performance

NVS stock traded down $1.10 on Friday, hitting $112.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,595,371 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,474,189. The stock has a market cap of $229.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.53. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $106.67 and a two-hundred day moving average of $107.41. 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 1 year low of $92.35 and a 1 year high of $120.92.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last announced 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 net margin of 23.56% and a return on equity of 37.24%. Equities analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were paid a $3.8695 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 42.69%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on NVS shares. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novartis in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. HSBC cut shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "reduce" rating in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Finally, Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, Novartis currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $123.38.

Novartis 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.