Pfizer Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NYSE:PFE)

Key Points

• Pfizer experienced a significant increase in call options trading, with 144,204 call options acquired on Monday, marking a 31% rise from its average daily volume.
• For the recent quarter, Pfizer reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.78, exceeding the consensus estimate of $0.58, along with a revenue of $14.65 billion, which was higher than the $13.43 billion expected by analysts.
• The company recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.43 per share, resulting in an annualized dividend of $1.72 and a yield of 7.1% for shareholders.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE - Get Free Report) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Monday. Stock investors bought 144,204 call options on the company. This is an increase of approximately 31% compared to the average daily volume of 110,032 call options.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of Pfizer stock traded up $0.02 on Monday, reaching $24.05. 67,725,099 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 42,502,152. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.85 and a current ratio of 1.16. The company's 50-day moving average is $24.61 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.18. The firm has a market cap of $136.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.79, a P/E/G ratio of 0.78 and a beta of 0.55. Pfizer has a 1-year low of $20.92 and a 1-year high of $30.43.

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

Pfizer Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th were given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, July 25th. Pfizer's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.49%.

Institutional Trading of Pfizer

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PFE. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $2,270,157,000. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Pfizer by 856.8% during the 1st 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 boosted its stake in Pfizer by 43.4% during the 1st quarter. Amundi now owns 52,090,403 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $1,265,277,000 after purchasing an additional 15,758,846 shares in the last quarter. Nuveen LLC bought a new position in Pfizer during the 1st quarter valued at $389,861,000. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in Pfizer by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 533,363,457 shares of the biopharmaceutical company's stock valued at $12,928,730,000 after purchasing an additional 10,198,330 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have commented on PFE. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Pfizer from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Bank of America increased their target price on Pfizer from $27.00 to $28.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Citigroup increased their target price on Pfizer from $25.00 to $26.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, August 6th. Wall Street Zen raised Pfizer from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Saturday. Finally, Berenberg Bank reduced their target price on Pfizer from $28.00 to $25.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, May 29th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, four have given a Buy rating, eleven have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $28.12.

Pfizer Company Profile

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.