Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Trading Down 2.2% - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• Pfizer's share price fell by 2.2% during trading, closing at $25.32, with a significant drop in trading volume compared to its average.
• Analyst ratings for Pfizer indicate a mix of sentiments, with a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $28.12, following adjustments from various brokerages.
• Pfizer announced a quarterly dividend of $0.43, yielding 6.8%, with the payout ratio currently at 91.49% and expected FY 2025 EPS guidance set between 2.900-3.100.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) shares fell 2.2% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $25.26 and last traded at $25.32. 9,405,210 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 79% from the average session volume of 45,089,203 shares. The stock had previously closed at $25.88.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on PFE. UBS Group lifted their target price on Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on Pfizer from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. HSBC lowered their target price on Pfizer from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research report on Monday, May 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have issued a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $28.12.

Pfizer Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of $143.76 billion, a PE ratio of 13.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $24.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $24.39.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.78 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.20. The company had revenue of $14.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.43 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 16.84% and a return on equity of 21.42%. The firm's revenue was up 10.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.60 EPS. Pfizer has set its FY 2025 guidance at 2.900-3.100 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th will be issued a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.8%. Pfizer's payout ratio is presently 91.49%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pfizer

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank bought a new position in Pfizer during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,270,157,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Pfizer by 856.8% during the first quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 20,053,828 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $508,164,000 after purchasing an additional 17,957,928 shares in the last quarter. Amundi increased its holdings in Pfizer by 43.4% during the first quarter. Amundi now owns 52,090,403 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $1,265,277,000 after buying an additional 15,758,846 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Pfizer in the first quarter worth approximately $389,861,000. Finally, Starboard Value LP bought a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $407,730,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.

This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.