Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) Shares Purchased by Machina Capital S.A.S.

Machina Capital S.A.S. raised its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Free Report) by 87.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 60,088 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock after purchasing an additional 28,072 shares during the period. Machina Capital S.A.S.'s holdings in Pfizer were worth $1,523,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Clarity Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in Pfizer in the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. Gould Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Pfizer by 97.2% during the fourth quarter. Gould Capital LLC now owns 1,000 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 493 shares during the last quarter. North Capital Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the first quarter worth about $28,000. Bernard Wealth Management Corp. purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Horizon Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the first quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.36% of the company's stock.

Pfizer Stock Performance

NYSE:PFE traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $25.37. The company had a trading volume of 25,643,723 shares, compared to its average volume of 38,513,248. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 1.26 and a quick ratio of 0.96. The firm has a market cap of $144.25 billion, a PE ratio of 18.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.58. The business's 50 day moving average price is $24.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $24.70. Pfizer Inc. has a 1-year low of $20.92 and a 1-year high of $31.54.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. The business had revenue of $13.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.43 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.33% and a net margin of 12.62%. The business's quarterly revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. Pfizer's payout ratio is 124.64%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on PFE shares. Cantor Fitzgerald started coverage on Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a "neutral" rating and a $24.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on Pfizer from $31.00 to $32.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Redburn Atlantic dropped their price target on Pfizer from $29.00 to $27.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup boosted their price target on Pfizer from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets decreased their target price on Pfizer from $36.00 to $30.00 in a report on Thursday, April 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $28.55.

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.