GSK (NYSE:GSK) Downgraded to "Buy" Rating by StockNews.com

GSK (NYSE:GSK - Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday.

GSK has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Morgan Stanley started coverage on GSK in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "equal weight" rating on the stock. BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of GSK in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set a "neutral" rating and a $35.25 price target on the stock. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $40.58.

GSK Stock Performance

GSK stock traded up $0.40 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $36.33. 1,977,915 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,652,133. GSK has a 52 week low of $31.72 and a 52 week high of $45.93. The firm has a market cap of $74.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.56. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $37.43 and its 200 day simple moving average is $36.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a current ratio of 0.78.

GSK (NYSE:GSK - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The pharmaceutical company reported $0.59 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.44 by $0.15. GSK had a return on equity of 48.59% and a net margin of 8.13%. On average, analysts expect that GSK will post 4.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On GSK

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Indiana Trust & Investment Management Co grew its position in GSK by 200.0% in the fourth quarter. Indiana Trust & Investment Management Co now owns 750 shares of the pharmaceutical company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of GSK during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. increased its position in GSK by 195.5% during the 4th quarter. ST Germain D J Co. Inc. now owns 789 shares of the pharmaceutical company's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares in the last quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC bought a new position in GSK in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its position in GSK by 470.1% in the fourth quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 992 shares of the pharmaceutical company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 818 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 15.74% of the company's stock.

GSK Company Profile

GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, and manufacture of vaccines, and specialty and general medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Commercial Operations and Total R&D.