Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Shares Bought by Promethos Capital LLC

Promethos Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 10.6% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 156,088 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 15,012 shares during the period. Novartis accounts for about 5.3% of Promethos Capital LLC's investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Promethos Capital LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $15,189,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

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

Novartis Stock Performance

Novartis stock traded up $1.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $110.69. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,577,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,561,026. The firm has a market cap of $226.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.83, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. Novartis AG has a twelve month low of $93.15 and a twelve month high of $120.92. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $109.21 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.33. 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 (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a net margin of 23.56% and a return on equity of 37.24%. Sell-side analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NVS. Morgan Stanley began coverage on Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. BNP Paribas raised shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Barclays reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average 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.