Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Sells 7,984 Shares of Novartis AG $NVS

Key Points

• Crossmark Global Holdings cut its Novartis stake by 25.7% in the third quarter, selling 7,984 shares and retaining 23,098 shares valued at approximately $3.3 million.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed, with six Buy, twelve Hold, and two Sell ratings; the consensus rating is Hold with a target price of $145.60.
• Novartis faces near-term pressure ahead of its October 27 earnings report, despite positive developments for Kisqali and Cosentyx; weaker-than-expected remibrutinib relapse data and declining Entresto revenue remain investor concerns.

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. reduced its position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 25.7% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 23,098 shares of the company's stock after selling 7,984 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Novartis were worth $3,293,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have issued reports on NVS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. UBS Group reiterated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, September 17th. Citigroup reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, July 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a "sell" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, September 21st. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "buy" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Sunday, August 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twelve have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $145.60.

Novartis Trading Down 3.3%

NVS opened at $151.05 on Friday. The firm's fifty day moving average is $148.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $150.46. 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 firm has a market cap of $288.23 billion, a PE ratio of 22.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.74 and a beta of 0.41. Novartis AG has a twelve month low of $121.57 and a twelve month high of $170.46.

Key Headlines Impacting Novartis

Here are the key news stories impacting Novartis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Kisqali produced a meaningful long-term benefit in early breast cancer. Six-year data showed that Kisqali reduced the risk of death by 19% when added to endocrine therapy, strengthening the drug’s commercial outlook and supporting Novartis’ growth prospects as older products face pressure. Novartis' breast cancer drug cuts risk of death by 19% after six years, data shows
• Positive Sentiment: Novartis said remibrutinib delivered disease control in two Phase 3 relapsing multiple-sclerosis trials. The update supports the drug’s potential to expand Novartis’ pipeline and diversify growth, although investors focused more heavily on the detailed relapse results. Novartis Says Remibrutinib Delivers Disease Control in Phase 3 Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Trials
• Positive Sentiment: Cosentyx received European approval for polymyalgia rheumatica, adding another potential growth opportunity for the immunology franchise. Novartis wins EU approval for Cosentyx in rheumatic disease
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are awaiting third-quarter results on October 27. Analysts expect sales growth but are watching whether declining Entresto revenue—reported down roughly 50% in related coverage—can be offset by newer products such as Kisqali and remibrutinib. Novartis Q3 earnings preview
• Negative Sentiment: Remibrutinib’s relapse data was described as weaker than expected. Although the company highlighted disease control, the less convincing relapse findings raised concerns about the drug’s eventual competitive position and commercial potential in multiple sclerosis. Novartis presents weaker-than-expected relapse data for multiple sclerosis drug remibrutinib
• Negative Sentiment: Profit-taking ahead of earnings likely added pressure. After a recent rebound and roughly 9.6% monthly gain cited in market commentary, investors may have reduced positions before results, especially given lingering sensitivity to earlier pipeline setbacks. Novartis Slides as Investors Appear to Lock In Gains Ahead of Q3 Results

About Novartis

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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