Trustmark National Bank Trust Department Has $5.37 Million Stock Position in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS)

Trustmark National Bank Trust Department reduced its holdings in Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS - Free Report) by 15.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 55,204 shares of the company's stock after selling 9,813 shares during the period. Trustmark National Bank Trust Department's holdings in Novartis were worth $5,372,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of NVS. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $88,339,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in Novartis by 16.0% in the fourth quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 2,668,849 shares of the company's stock worth $259,706,000 after purchasing an additional 368,171 shares during the period. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Novartis by 17.4% during 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 in the last quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in Novartis by 128.1% in the 4th quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 528,682 shares of the company's stock valued at $51,554,000 after buying an additional 296,890 shares during the period. Finally, Proficio Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter valued at $225,000. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Novartis Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE NVS traded up $1.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $110.69. The company had a trading volume of 1,577,944 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,561,026. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $109.21 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.33. Novartis AG has a one year low of $93.15 and a one year high of $120.92. The company has a current ratio of 1.04, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.48. The company has a market capitalization of $226.26 billion, a PE ratio of 18.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.56.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, January 31st. The company reported $1.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.80 by $0.18. Novartis had a return on equity of 37.24% and a net margin of 23.56%. On average, equities analysts expect that Novartis AG will post 8.45 EPS for the current 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 paid a dividend of $3.8695 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 12th. Novartis's payout ratio is presently 42.69%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently weighed in on NVS shares. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of Novartis in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "underweight" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Novartis from a "hold" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Tuesday, February 4th. UBS Group reissued a "neutral" rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Barclays reiterated an "underweight" rating on shares of Novartis in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com raised Novartis from a "buy" rating to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Saturday, February 8th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average 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.