Novartis AG (NVS) - What Are Analysts Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is mixed: Eighteen analysts give Novartis an average “Hold” rating, with six Buys, nine Holds and three Sells. The average 12-month price target is $152.25, below the reported share price of $160.67.
• Recent results exceeded expectations: Novartis reported quarterly EPS of $2.46 versus the $2.25 consensus and revenue of $15.03 billion versus $14.53 billion expected, with revenue rising 4.4% year over year.
• Pipeline and outlook concerns remain: Analysts cut peak-sales forecasts for remibrutinib after a weaker-than-expected multiple-sclerosis trial, while Deutsche Bank downgraded the stock to Sell and other analysts projected weaker future earnings.

Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) have been assigned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the eighteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, nine have assigned a hold recommendation and six have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $152.25.

NVS has been the subject of a number of research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Sunday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley reissued an "overweight" rating and set a $163.00 target price on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "sell" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, September 21st. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, HSBC upgraded shares of Novartis from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $123.00 to $136.00 in a research note on Thursday, September 10th.

Trending Headlines about Novartis

Here are the key news stories impacting Novartis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Novartis received a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), reflecting improved expectations for its earnings prospects. The upgrade could provide near-term support for the shares. Novartis Rating Upgrade to Buy
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks also identified NVS as a strong long-term momentum stock, highlighting favorable style and performance characteristics that may attract growth and momentum investors. Novartis Top Momentum Stock
• Positive Sentiment: Novartis’s third-quarter results exceeded consensus expectations, with earnings per share of $2.46 versus $2.25 expected and revenue of $15.03 billion versus $14.53 billion expected. Revenue increased 4.4% year over year, supporting the company’s fundamental outlook. Novartis Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: DZ Bank initiated coverage with a Hold rating, signaling a balanced view of Novartis’s earnings strength and valuation. DZ Bank Novartis Coverage
• Negative Sentiment: Deutsche Bank downgraded Novartis from Hold to Sell, adding direct analyst pressure to the stock and countering the more favorable Zacks assessment. Deutsche Bank Downgrades Novartis
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts reduced peak-sales forecasts for remibrutinib after a late-stage multiple-sclerosis trial met its primary endpoint but appeared weaker than expected. The development raises concerns about the drug’s ability to offset upcoming patent-related revenue pressure. Novartis Remibrutinib and Patent Cliff
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group Bank forecast weaker earnings for Novartis, adding to concerns that future results may not match the company’s recent quarterly beat. Erste Group Predicts Weaker Novartis Earnings

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novartis

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Archer Investment Corp increased its holdings in shares of Novartis by 93.0% in the 1st quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 166 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Highland Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in Novartis by 552.0% during the second quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 163 shares of the company's stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. Atlatl Advisers LLC bought a new position in Novartis during the second quarter worth $26,000. Finally, Curry Webb Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Novartis during the third quarter worth $28,000. 13.12% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Novartis Stock Performance

Shares of NVS stock opened at $160.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market cap of $306.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.66, a P/E/G ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 0.41. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $148.41 and its 200-day moving average price is $151.80. Novartis has a one year low of $122.57 and a one year high of $170.46.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $2.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.21. Novartis had a return on equity of 41.04% and a net margin of 18.11%. The company had revenue of $15.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $2.25 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 4.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Novartis will post 9.04 EPS for the current year.

Novartis Company Profile

Novartis AG is a Switzerland-based pharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines. The company's research and commercial activities span areas including cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, immunology, neuroscience, oncology and hematology. Its portfolio includes prescription medicines such as Entresto, Cosentyx, Kisqali, Kesimpta, Leqvio, Pluvicto and Scemblix.

Novartis serves patients and healthcare providers in markets around the world.

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