Evergreen Capital Management LLC Has $1.70 Million Position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Evergreen Capital Management LLC raised its position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 19.5% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,466 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 2,855 shares during the quarter. Evergreen Capital Management LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $1,700,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Novartis by 0.8% during the fourth 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 grew its stake in shares of Novartis by 0.6% in 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 raised 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 purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Novartis by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. Angeles Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,249 shares of the company's stock worth $316,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Heritage Family Offices LLP lifted its stake in Novartis by 1.9% during the fourth 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 during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Novartis Stock Down 1.2 %

Novartis stock traded down $1.38 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $110.03. The company had a trading volume of 1,505,672 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,552,920. The firm's fifty day moving average is $109.36 and its 200-day moving average is $106.23. The firm has a market capitalization of $224.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. Novartis AG has a fifty-two week low of $96.06 and a fifty-two week high of $120.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating 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%. On average, research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Novartis Announces Dividend

The firm 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 of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's dividend payout ratio is currently 42.69%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novartis in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 8th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Barclays reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.