Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc. Has $16.23 Million Stock Position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 11.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 166,782 shares of the company's stock after selling 21,274 shares during the period. Novartis comprises about 2.3% of Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc.'s portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest holding. Wilkins Investment Counsel Inc.'s holdings in Novartis were worth $16,230,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of NVS. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new position in Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $88,339,000. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Novartis by 17.4% in the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 2,002,959 shares of the company's stock worth $194,908,000 after buying an additional 296,950 shares during the period. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 128.1% during the fourth quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 528,682 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,554,000 after buying an additional 296,890 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Novartis during the third quarter valued at $30,063,000. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis in the 4th quarter worth about $225,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on NVS. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "underweight" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, February 4th. Barclays reissued an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. HSBC lowered Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "reduce" rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $123.38.

Remove Ads

Novartis Stock Performance

Novartis stock traded down $0.99 on Monday, hitting $111.14. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,543,439 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,474,466. Novartis AG has a one year low of $92.35 and a one year high of $120.92. The firm has a market cap of $227.18 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $106.91 and a 200-day moving average price of $107.29.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 analysts anticipate that Novartis AG will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current year.

Novartis Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders 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 currently 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.