Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC Trims Stock Holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC trimmed its holdings in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 6.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 102,099 shares of the company's stock after selling 6,985 shares during the quarter. Reynders McVeigh Capital Management LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $9,935,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Human Investing LLC bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis in the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Institutional investors own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. BNP Paribas upgraded Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Saturday, February 8th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Novartis presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $123.38.

Novartis Stock Up 1.0 %

NVS traded up $1.11 on Thursday, hitting $110.69. The company had a trading volume of 1,577,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,557,459. The stock has a market capitalization of $226.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $109.08 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.38. Novartis AG has a 12-month low of $92.35 and a 12-month high of $120.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.04.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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%. Analysts predict that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Announces Dividend

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

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.