Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) Stock Price Up 2.2%

Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS - Get Free Report) shares rose 2.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $154.40 and last traded at $153.02. Approximately 4,967,617 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 38% from the average daily volume of 3,610,045 shares. The stock had previously closed at $149.77.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on ZTS. StockNews.com cut shares of Zoetis from a "strong-buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Zoetis from $190.00 to $226.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $230.00 price objective on shares of Zoetis in a report on Tuesday, December 19th. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Zoetis from $215.00 to $195.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 2nd. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Zoetis from $255.00 to $260.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 14th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Zoetis presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $221.75.

Zoetis Trading Down 0.7 %

The stock has a market capitalization of $69.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.29 and a beta of 0.85. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $177.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $180.39. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 2.00 and a current ratio of 3.36.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 13th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.32 by ($0.08). Zoetis had a net margin of 27.43% and a return on equity of 51.25%. The firm had revenue of $2.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.19 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.15 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Zoetis Inc. will post 5.8 EPS for the current year.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 4th. Investors of record on Friday, April 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.432 per share. This represents a $1.73 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, April 18th. Zoetis's dividend payout ratio is presently 34.12%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Zoetis news, EVP Roxanne Lagano sold 923 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, January 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $191.43, for a total value of $176,689.89. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 17,569 shares of the company's stock, valued at $3,363,233.67. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 2,209 shares of company stock worth $408,453. Corporate insiders own 0.15% of the company's stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Zoetis

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Zoetis by 222.5% in the fourth quarter. Blue Bell Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 129 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 89 shares in the last quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Zoetis by 439.3% during the 1st quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 151 shares of the company's stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 123 shares in the last quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC raised its stake in Zoetis by 430.8% during the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 138 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. Worth Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Webster Bank N. A. boosted its position in shares of Zoetis by 89.1% in the first quarter. Webster Bank N. A. now owns 174 shares of the company's stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.80% of the company's stock.

Zoetis Company Profile

Zoetis Inc engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products and services in the United States and internationally. The company commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.