Candriam S.C.A. Boosts Stock Holdings in Pfizer Inc. $PFE

Key Points

• Candriam S.C.A. significantly increased its stake in Pfizer Inc. by 292.8%, owning over 1.6 million shares valued at approximately $42 million.
• Pfizer reported a notable 10.3% year-over-year revenue growth with $14.65 billion in revenue and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.78, exceeding market expectations.
• The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend yield of 6.8%.

Candriam S.C.A. lifted its position in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Free Report) by 292.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,659,600 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock after buying an additional 1,237,099 shares during the period. Candriam S.C.A.'s holdings in Pfizer were worth $42,054,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of PFE. Clarity Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Gould Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 97.2% in the 4th quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 493 shares during the period. GKV Capital Management Co. Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. North Capital Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Finally, Bayforest Capital Ltd acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the company's stock.

Pfizer Price Performance

Pfizer stock opened at $25.2950 on Wednesday. Pfizer Inc. has a 52-week low of $20.92 and a 52-week high of $30.43. The firm has a market capitalization of $143.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.45, a PEG ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $24.64 and a 200-day simple moving average of $24.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.78 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.20. Pfizer had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 21.42%. The firm had revenue of $14.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.43 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. Pfizer's quarterly revenue was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.900-3.100 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. Pfizer's dividend payout ratio is currently 91.49%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on PFE shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Bank of America upped their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 6th. HSBC reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Leerink Partners reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Wolfe Research upped their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $22.00 to $23.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $28.12.

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.

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