Ashton Thomas Securities LLC Buys 8,515 Shares of Novartis AG $NVS

Key Points

• Institutional buying: Ashton Thomas Securities acquired 8,515 Novartis shares valued at approximately $1.21 million. Other major institutions also increased their positions, with institutional investors collectively owning 13.12% of the company.
• Mixed analyst outlook: Novartis has a consensus rating of Hold, with six Buy, ten Hold and two Sell ratings and an average price target of $152.25.
• Strong operating performance but profit pressure: Quarterly EPS of $2.46 exceeded estimates of $2.25, while revenue rose 4.4% year over year. However, net profit fell about 70% due largely to a $1.9 billion impairment charge, alongside concerns over generic competition, Kisqali performance and clinical-trial setbacks.

Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 8,515 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,214,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of NVS. Bank of America Corp DE raised its holdings in Novartis by 9.1% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 4,962,794 shares of the company's stock worth $758,067,000 after buying an additional 413,778 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Novartis by 0.8% during the second quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,330,979 shares of the company's stock valued at $365,308,000 after buying an additional 19,595 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its stake in Novartis by 1.9% during the first quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 2,275,938 shares of the company's stock valued at $347,649,000 after buying an additional 41,520 shares in the last quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the first quarter worth about $220,004,000. Finally, Sei Investments Co. boosted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 9.6% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 619,274 shares of the company's stock worth $94,594,000 after buying an additional 54,262 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have recently weighed in on NVS. Sanford C. Bernstein reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. HSBC upgraded shares of Novartis from a "reduce" rating to a "hold" rating and upped their price target for the company from $123.00 to $136.00 in a research report on Thursday, September 10th. UBS Group reaffirmed a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated a "sector perform" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, ten have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Novartis currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $152.25.

Novartis Stock Performance

Shares of NVS opened at $155.91 on Thursday. Novartis AG has a 52 week low of $121.57 and a 52 week high of $170.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.86. The company has a market capitalization of $297.49 billion, a PE ratio of 23.52, a PEG ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.41. The company's 50 day moving average price is $148.31 and its 200 day moving average price is $151.61.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 27th. The company reported $2.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.25 by $0.21. Novartis had a return on equity of 38.56% and a net margin of 23.29%. The firm had revenue of $15.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.53 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.25 earnings per share. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 4.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.91 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Key Stories Impacting Novartis

Here are the key news stories impacting Novartis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Raised 2026 core-profit outlook: Novartis increased its forecast for full-year core operating income, citing sales growth and productivity improvements. Management also maintained its outlook for full-year sales growth. Novartis Q3 Profit Sinks 70% Despite Sales Growth; Lifts FY26 Core Income View, Backs Sales Outlook
• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly earnings beat estimates: Novartis reported adjusted earnings of $2.46 per share, above the $2.25 consensus, while revenue increased year over year. Growth from Kisqali, Kesimpta and Scemblix helped offset generic-drug pressure. NVS Q3 Earnings Top Estimates on Strong Key Drug Sales, Revenues Miss
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst estimates remain broadly constructive: Erste Group Bank made only small changes to its forecasts, trimming its 2026 EPS estimate to $9.16 from $9.24 while raising its 2027 estimate to $9.81 from $9.80. Both remain above the broader current-year consensus of $8.91.
• Negative Sentiment: Reported profit fell sharply: Third-quarter net profit declined about 70%, largely because of a roughly $1.9 billion impairment charge and higher expenses. Although the charge is nonrecurring, it weakened headline results and may be contributing to investor caution. Novartis Raises Guidance Despite Trial Setbacks Hitting Profit
• Negative Sentiment: Execution concerns remain: Kisqali, one of Novartis’ key growth medicines, reportedly fell short of expectations, while generic competition continues to erode sales. Recent clinical-trial setbacks also add uncertainty around the company’s pipeline and future growth.

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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