QSM Asset Management Ltd Takes $7.05 Million Position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)

QSM Asset Management Ltd acquired a new position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 266,802 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock, valued at approximately $7,049,000. Pfizer comprises approximately 6.1% of QSM Asset Management Ltd's portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding.

A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 518,535,151 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $13,756,738,000 after purchasing an additional 2,285,276 shares during the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Pfizer by 19.5% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 155,459,101 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $4,124,330,000 after purchasing an additional 25,315,159 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Pfizer by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 120,589,782 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $3,190,131,000 after purchasing an additional 2,923,537 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $2,328,986,000. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its position in Pfizer by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 76,502,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $2,029,604,000 after acquiring an additional 5,350,381 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the company's stock.

Pfizer Stock Up 1.1%

Shares of PFE traded up $0.26 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $23.44. 26,078,204 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 41,037,983. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $20.92 and a 52 week high of $31.54. The company has a current ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63. The company's 50 day moving average is $23.22 and its two-hundred day moving average is $25.11. The company has a market capitalization of $133.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.62, a PEG ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 0.58.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 19.47% and a net margin of 12.62%. The firm's quarterly revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.82 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 13th. Investors of record on Friday, May 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 7.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 9th. Pfizer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 124.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several equities analysts have commented on PFE shares. Citigroup reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Guggenheim reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, March 18th. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued a "neutral" rating and a $24.00 price objective on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $25.00 price objective (down previously from $32.00) on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Hsbc Global Res raised Pfizer to a "strong-buy" rating in a research report on Monday, March 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $29.17.

About Pfizer

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands.