Royalty Pharma PLC $RPRX Shares Bought by UBS Group AG

Key Points

• UBS Group AG raised its stake in Royalty Pharma by 27.9% in Q4, acquiring an additional 437,033 shares for a total holding of 2,005,831 shares (about 0.35% of the company) valued at roughly $77.5 million.
• Royalty Pharma reported Q results that beat EPS estimates ($1.46 vs. $1.33) but missed revenue expectations ($622M vs. $840M consensus), while analysts maintain a consensus "Buy" rating with an average price target near $50.33.
• The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.235 (annualized $0.94) for a yield of about 1.9%, with the ex‑dividend/record date on May 15 and payment slated for June 10.

UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma PLC (NASDAQ:RPRX - Free Report) by 27.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,005,831 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock after purchasing an additional 437,033 shares during the quarter. UBS Group AG owned about 0.35% of Royalty Pharma worth $77,505,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 868.1% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 881 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 790 shares in the last quarter. Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 52.9% in the fourth quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 832 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 288 shares in the last quarter. Financial Consulate Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Royalty Pharma during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Royalty Pharma by 31.9% during the 3rd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 1,264 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 306 shares during the period. Finally, Richardson Financial Services Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Royalty Pharma during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $54,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 54.35% of the company's stock.

Royalty Pharma Stock Performance

Shares of Royalty Pharma stock opened at $49.47 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 2.40 and a quick ratio of 2.40. Royalty Pharma PLC has a 1 year low of $31.97 and a 1 year high of $50.47. The company has a market capitalization of $28.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.64, a P/E/G ratio of 3.16 and a beta of 0.40. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $47.31 and a 200 day moving average price of $42.45.

Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $621.99 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $839.97 million. Royalty Pharma had a return on equity of 28.21% and a net margin of 32.38%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Royalty Pharma PLC will post 5.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Royalty Pharma Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Friday, May 15th will be paid a $0.235 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 15th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.9%. Royalty Pharma's payout ratio is presently 69.63%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

RPRX has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Royalty Pharma from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a report on Friday. TD Cowen reiterated a "buy" rating on shares of Royalty Pharma in a research report on Friday, February 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Royalty Pharma in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Wall Street Zen cut Royalty Pharma from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Saturday, February 14th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Royalty Pharma from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $50.33.

Insider Transactions at Royalty Pharma

In other Royalty Pharma news, CFO Terrance P. Coyne sold 114,954 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.84, for a total transaction of $4,924,629.36. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 23,972 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,026,960.48. This trade represents a 82.74% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 274,281 shares of company stock valued at $12,422,388. 18.84% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Royalty Pharma Profile

Royalty Pharma plc is a specialty finance company that acquires biopharmaceutical royalty interests and provides non-dilutive financing to drug developers and rights holders. The firm purchases future royalty streams, milestone-contingent payments and other revenue rights linked to approved and late-stage pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. By paying upfront consideration for these rights, Royalty Pharma seeks to generate long-term cash flows tied to the commercial performance of a diversified portfolio of medicines.

The company's transaction structures include outright royalty purchases, structured financings and milestone arrangements tailored to the needs of innovator companies, academic institutions and investors.

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