Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Stock Holdings Lifted by Mariner LLC

Mariner LLC lifted its position in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 15.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 235,218 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 32,170 shares during the period. Mariner LLC's holdings in Novartis were worth $22,889,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of Novartis by 16.0% during the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,668,849 shares of the company's stock valued at $259,706,000 after purchasing an additional 368,171 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC increased its position in Novartis by 17.4% in the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 2,002,959 shares of the company's stock worth $194,908,000 after buying an additional 296,950 shares during the period. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Novartis by 4.7% during the fourth quarter. Chevy Chase Trust Holdings LLC now owns 1,161,139 shares of the company's stock valued at $112,990,000 after acquiring an additional 52,044 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth about $88,339,000. Finally, Truist Financial Corp boosted its stake in Novartis by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 771,655 shares of the company's stock valued at $75,090,000 after purchasing an additional 27,092 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 13.12% of the company's stock.

Novartis Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of Novartis stock traded up $0.93 on Tuesday, reaching $111.47. 420,595 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,298,384. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. Novartis AG has a fifty-two week low of $96.06 and a fifty-two week high of $120.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $227.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $109.29 and a 200-day moving average price of $106.19.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a net margin of 23.56% and a return on equity of 37.24%. On average, analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current year.

Novartis Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 12th were given a dividend of $3.8695 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's payout ratio is 42.69%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

NVS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Novartis in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating for the company. BNP Paribas raised shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Novartis currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $123.38.

Novartis Profile

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.