Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Stock Has Average Price Target of $145.60

Key Points

• Analyst consensus is “Hold” for Novartis, with 12 hold, six buy and two sell ratings. The average 12-month price target is $145.60, modestly above the stock’s reported $140.73 opening price.
• Recent analyst views were mixed: Morgan Stanley set a $156 target with an overweight rating, while Berenberg lowered its target from $147 to $130 and maintained a hold rating.
• Novartis reported quarterly EPS of $2.41 on $14.95 billion in revenue, alongside a 38.56% return on equity and 23.29% net margin. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the company.

Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Hold" from the twenty ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $145.60.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Citigroup reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Sunday, August 9th. Morgan Stanley restated an "overweight" rating and issued a $156.00 target price on shares of Novartis in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Berenberg Bank lowered their price target on shares of Novartis from $147.00 to $130.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Friday, September 11th.

Institutional Trading of Novartis

Several large investors have recently modified their holdings of NVS. Highland Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the second quarter worth about $25,000. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. increased its holdings in Novartis by 552.0% during the 2nd 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 acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Archer Investment Corp boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 93.0% during the 1st quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 166 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Silicon Valley Capital Partners boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 519.4% during the 2nd quarter. Silicon Valley Capital Partners now owns 192 shares of the company's stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 161 shares during the last quarter. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novartis Stock Performance

NYSE:NVS opened at $140.73 on Wednesday. Novartis has a twelve month low of $121.57 and a twelve month high of $170.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $268.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.23, a PEG ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $149.98 and its 200 day simple moving average is $150.65.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, June 30th. The company reported $2.41 EPS for the quarter. Novartis had a return on equity of 38.56% and a net margin of 23.29%.The company had revenue of $14.95 billion for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Novartis will post 8.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 center on cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, immunology, neuroscience, oncology and hematology. Its portfolio includes prescription medicines such as Entresto, Cosentyx, Kesimpta, Kisqali, Pluvicto, Leqvio and Jakavi, as well as other therapies for serious and chronic conditions.

Novartis serves patients and healthcare providers in markets worldwide, with operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia and other international regions.

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