Blue Trust Inc. Cuts Holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO)

Blue Trust Inc. lessened its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO - Free Report) by 27.0% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 16,562 shares of the company's stock after selling 6,141 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc.'s holdings in Novo Nordisk A/S were worth $1,425,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of NVO. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Albion Financial Group UT raised its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 121.4% during the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 507 shares of the company's stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC raised its position in Novo Nordisk A/S by 82.1% during the 4th quarter. Sound Income Strategies LLC now owns 539 shares of the company's stock valued at $46,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hager Investment Management Services LLC bought a new position in Novo Nordisk A/S during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $46,000. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the company's stock.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Up 1.3 %

Shares of Novo Nordisk A/S stock traded up $1.05 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $83.38. The company had a trading volume of 5,936,992 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,213,192. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market capitalization of $374.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.84 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a 50 day moving average of $87.45 and a 200 day moving average of $108.84. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52-week low of $77.82 and a 52-week high of $148.15.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. Novo Nordisk A/S had a return on equity of 84.68% and a net margin of 34.81%. On average, equities analysts predict that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.7874 per share. This represents a yield of 1.2%. This is an increase from Novo Nordisk A/S's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.51. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 31st. Novo Nordisk A/S's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.88%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on NVO shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "equal weight" rating for the company. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an "overweight" rating and set a $160.00 target price on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Sanford C. Bernstein upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from an "underperform" rating to a "market perform" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Novo Nordisk A/S from $156.00 to $105.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Monday, December 23rd. Finally, BNP Paribas upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Monday, December 2nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $145.25.

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease.