MML Investors Services LLC Buys 19,331 Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

MML Investors Services LLC raised its stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 15.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 148,532 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 19,331 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $14,454,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Novartis by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 12,884 shares of the company's stock worth $1,254,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC raised its stake in shares of Novartis by 0.6% in the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 16,682 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,623,000 after acquiring an additional 101 shares during the last quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,161 shares of the company's stock worth $405,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Novartis by 3.5% during the 4th quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,249 shares of the company's stock worth $316,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP increased its holdings in Novartis by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP now owns 6,107 shares of the company's stock valued at $594,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novartis Price Performance

Shares of NVS stock opened at $111.38 on Wednesday. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $109.36 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.23. The stock has a market cap of $227.67 billion, a PE ratio of 18.94, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. Novartis AG has a 52-week low of $96.06 and a 52-week high of $120.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.04.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 23.56%. As a group, analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novartis in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "underweight" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 8th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Novartis has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target 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.

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