Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) Receives Consensus Rating of "Buy" from Analysts

Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX - Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of "Buy" by the seven brokerages that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $41.67.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Royalty Pharma from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Royalty Pharma from $60.00 to $40.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, TD Cowen raised shares of Royalty Pharma to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, December 24th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Royalty Pharma

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Swedbank AB increased its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma by 10.3% in the 4th quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 12,164,170 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $310,308,000 after purchasing an additional 1,136,800 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in Royalty Pharma by 58.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,001,603 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $84,915,000 after purchasing an additional 1,103,341 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP raised its position in shares of Royalty Pharma by 44.7% during the third quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 3,033,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $85,809,000 after acquiring an additional 936,900 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Royalty Pharma in the 4th quarter worth approximately $19,990,000. Finally, Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Royalty Pharma in the third quarter valued at $14,898,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 54.35% of the company's stock.

Royalty Pharma Price Performance

NASDAQ RPRX traded up $0.33 during trading on Thursday, reaching $31.73. 3,393,389 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,435,420. Royalty Pharma has a 1-year low of $24.05 and a 1-year high of $32.21. The company has a market cap of $18.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.44 and a beta of 0.49. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $27.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $27.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a current ratio of 1.54.

Royalty Pharma Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $0.22 dividend. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.77%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from Royalty Pharma's previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. Royalty Pharma's dividend payout ratio is 43.52%.

Royalty Pharma Company Profile

Royalty Pharma plc operates as a buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a funder of innovations in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States. It is also involved in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of royalties on various biopharmaceutical therapies. In addition, the company collaborates with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and not-for-profits, small and mid-cap biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies.