88,666 Shares in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) Bought by Marshall Wace LLP

Marshall Wace LLP bought a new stake in shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 88,666 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,628,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Union Bancaire Privee UBP SA bought a new position in shares of Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Kestra Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Clearstead Trust LLC bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $51,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Novartis Stock Up 0.4 %

NVS traded up $0.46 on Monday, reaching $112.60. 2,476,038 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,547,833. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $109.79 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.07. Novartis AG has a 52-week low of $96.06 and a 52-week high of $120.92. The company has a market cap of $237.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.15, a PEG ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.84.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 EPS 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, sell-side analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Novartis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 12th were given a $3.8695 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's dividend payout ratio is 44.05%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 4th. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, February 8th. Barclays restated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Monday, February 3rd. BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Novartis to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a 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 given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price 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.