Puzo Michael J Sells 4,240 Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Puzo Michael J decreased its position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 57.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,085 shares of the company's stock after selling 4,240 shares during the period. Puzo Michael J's holdings in Novartis were worth $300,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Smith Moore & CO. raised its holdings in Novartis by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. Smith Moore & CO. now owns 2,224 shares of the company's stock valued at $216,000 after acquiring an additional 277 shares during the period. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC grew its position in shares of Novartis by 3.3% in the fourth quarter. Thoroughbred Financial Services LLC now owns 4,123 shares of the company's stock valued at $401,000 after purchasing an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. raised its stake in shares of Novartis by 519.1% during the 4th quarter. Atlas Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 4,532 shares of the company's stock valued at $441,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800 shares during the period. Pitcairn Co. lifted its holdings in Novartis by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Pitcairn Co. now owns 10,161 shares of the company's stock worth $989,000 after purchasing an additional 866 shares in the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors grew its holdings in Novartis by 9.7% during the 4th quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 36,929 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,594,000 after buying an additional 3,258 shares in the last quarter. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Novartis Trading Down 3.0 %

Shares of NYSE NVS traded down $3.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $98.91. The company had a trading volume of 1,610,419 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,527,493. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $108.98 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.70. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Novartis AG has a one year low of $92.35 and a one year high of $120.92. The stock has a market cap of $202.16 billion, a PE ratio of 16.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56.

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 the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a net margin of 23.56% and a return on equity of 37.24%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate 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. Investors 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 is presently 42.69%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NVS has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. StockNews.com raised shares of Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, February 8th. Finally, UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $123.38.

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.