National Bank of Canada FI Grows Position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX)

National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX - Free Report) by 125.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 230,498 shares of the pharmaceutical company's stock after purchasing an additional 128,061 shares during the quarter. National Bank of Canada FI owned about 0.09% of Vertex Pharmaceuticals worth $107,200,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in VRTX. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC bought a new position in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter worth approximately $25,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Stephens Consulting LLC acquired a new position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Truvestments Capital LLC bought a new stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals during the third quarter worth $35,000. Institutional investors own 90.96% of the company's stock.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 0.5 %

Vertex Pharmaceuticals stock traded up $2.18 during trading on Friday, hitting $462.10. 1,115,325 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,321,160. The company has a current ratio of 2.47, a quick ratio of 2.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The company has a market capitalization of $119.00 billion, a P/E ratio of -232.21 and a beta of 0.36. The business's 50 day moving average is $472.83 and its 200 day moving average is $475.68. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has a 52 week low of $348.46 and a 52 week high of $519.88.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The pharmaceutical company reported $4.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.61 by $0.77. Vertex Pharmaceuticals had a negative net margin of 4.52% and a negative return on equity of 1.91%. The firm had revenue of $2.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $3.67 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 11.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated will post -1.83 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

VRTX has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup started coverage on Vertex Pharmaceuticals in a research note on Thursday, November 14th. They issued a "buy" rating and a $575.00 price target on the stock. Oppenheimer dropped their price objective on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $550.00 to $540.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. HC Wainwright reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $600.00 price target on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in a research note on Monday, October 21st. Canaccord Genuity Group upped their target price on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $361.00 to $408.00 and gave the stock a "sell" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $437.00 to $451.00 and gave the company a "sector perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Vertex Pharmaceuticals presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $504.38.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a biotechnology company, engages in developing and commercializing therapies for treating cystic fibrosis (CF). It markets TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO for people with CF with at least one F508del mutation for 2 years of age or older; SYMDEKO/SYMKEVI for people with CF for 6 years of age or older; ORKAMBI for CF patients 1 year or older; and KALYDECO for the treatment of patients with 1 year or older who have CF with ivacaftor.