Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Holdings Decreased by Martin Investment Management LLC

Martin Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 3.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 227,083 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,553 shares during the period. Novartis makes up 6.1% of Martin Investment Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Martin Investment Management LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $22,097,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC acquired a new position in Novartis in the 3rd quarter worth about $28,000. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis in the fourth quarter worth $25,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Novartis in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Finally, Clearstead Trust LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the fourth quarter worth $51,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have issued reports on NVS shares. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. StockNews.com raised Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, February 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $123.38.

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Novartis Price Performance

Shares of NYSE NVS traded down $4.18 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $101.67. 2,007,235 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,518,380. The company has a market cap of $207.82 billion, a PE ratio of 17.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. 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 AG has a twelve month low of $92.35 and a twelve month high of $120.92. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $109.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.92.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share 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, equities research analysts forecast that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th were issued a $3.8695 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.69%.

Novartis Company 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.