Bank of America Corp DE Buys New Stake in Pfizer Inc. $PFE

Key Points

• Bank of America acquired 43.6 million Pfizer shares worth approximately $1.05 billion during the second quarter, giving it a 0.76% stake. Institutional investors and hedge funds collectively own 68.36% of Pfizer.
• Analysts maintain a broadly neutral view, with Pfizer receiving a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $28.39. Recent targets range from $25 to $30.
• Pfizer exceeded quarterly earnings and revenue expectations, but faces declining COVID-product sales and upcoming patent expirations. Its $0.43 quarterly dividend yields about 6.2%, though the payout ratio of 226.32% raises sustainability concerns.

Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 43,588,109 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock, valued at approximately $1,049,602,000. Bank of America Corp DE owned about 0.76% of Pfizer as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in Pfizer by 132.2% in the 1st quarter. Evolution Wealth Management Inc. now owns 994 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 566 shares in the last quarter. Godfrey Financial Associates Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Keb Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Pfizer during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Global Trust Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 126.7% in the 1st quarter. Global Trust Asset Management LLC now owns 1,163 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 650 shares during the period. Finally, Abound Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the fourth quarter worth $31,000. 68.36% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

More Pfizer News

Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Analysts at Wall Street Zen upgraded Pfizer, providing a favorable near-term sentiment signal, although the available report does not specify the new rating or price target. Pfizer Upgraded at Wall Street Zen
• Positive Sentiment: Pfizer’s new products, acquisitions and late-stage pipeline could help offset COVID-product declines and support renewed growth from 2029, offering a longer-term bull case for the stock. Can Pfizer Overcome Its COVID and Patent Cliff Headwinds?
• Positive Sentiment: Management’s presentation at Morgan Stanley’s 24th Annual Global Healthcare Conference gives investors an updated opportunity to assess Pfizer’s strategy, pipeline and response to its patent and revenue challenges. Pfizer Morgan Stanley Healthcare Conference Transcript
• Neutral Sentiment: Pfizer is highlighted as a high-yield dividend stock, with a roughly 6% yield that may appeal to income-focused investors and tax-advantaged accounts. High-Yield Dividend Stocks Worth Having in Your Roth IRA
• Negative Sentiment: COVID-product revenue is falling, while major drugs face a patent cliff. The resulting earnings pressure could persist before pipeline launches and acquisitions materially contribute to growth. Pfizer COVID and Patent Cliff Headwinds
• Negative Sentiment: Commentary warns that Pfizer’s dividend may be vulnerable if cash flow weakens, as patent losses and balance-sheet constraints leave limited room for execution mistakes. Pfizer’s 6% Yield Masks a Fragile Dividend Story
• Negative Sentiment: A dispute with Poland and Romania over approximately $2 billion of unwanted COVID-19 vaccines adds legal and financial uncertainty. Pfizer Dispute Over Unwanted COVID-19 Vaccines

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating and set a $27.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Wednesday, May 27th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Pfizer from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "hold (c)" rating in a research note on Monday, August 31st. Royal Bank Of Canada upgraded Pfizer from an "underperform" rating to a "sector perform" rating and set a $25.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 9th. BMO Capital Markets cut their price target on Pfizer from $34.00 to $30.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reaffirmed a "neutral" rating and issued a $27.00 price target on shares of Pfizer in a report on Monday, July 6th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, fourteen have assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $28.39.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PFE opened at $27.74 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Pfizer Inc. has a 1 year low of $23.58 and a 1 year high of $29.21. The firm has a market capitalization of $158.11 billion, a PE ratio of 36.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.86 and a beta of 0.34. The business's 50 day moving average price is $26.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $26.37.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.68 by $0.09. Pfizer had a net margin of 6.80% and a return on equity of 19.63%. The company had revenue of $15.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.40 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.78 EPS. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Pfizer has set its FY 2026 guidance at 2.800-3.000 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 24th were issued a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, July 24th. Pfizer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 226.32%.

Pfizer Profile

Pfizer Inc is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and vaccines. Its portfolio addresses a range of therapeutic areas, including oncology, inflammation and immunology, internal medicine, hospital care, rare diseases and infectious diseases. The company serves patients and healthcare providers in markets worldwide.

Pfizer's products include the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine, the Prevnar family of pneumococcal vaccines, and medicines such as Eliquis, Ibrance, Vyndaqel and Zavzaret.

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