Novartis (NYSE:NVS) Reaches New 12-Month High Following Strong Earnings

Shares of Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday following a stronger than expected earnings report. The company traded as high as $154.66 and last traded at $154.3920, with a volume of 513427 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $149.86.

The company reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.99 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $524.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.85 billion. Novartis had a return on equity of 41.70% and a net margin of 25.65%.The company’s quarterly revenue was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.98 EPS.

Novartis Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed an annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 16th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be given a $4.773 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 312.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th. Novartis’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.31%.

Key Stories Impacting Novartis

Here are the key news stories impacting Novartis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 EPS beat and margin improvement — Novartis reported EPS above estimates and expanded core margins, supporting profitability expectations. MarketBeat Earnings Summary
• Positive Sentiment: Pipeline progress and upcoming readouts — management highlighted multiple late-stage milestones (e.g., remibrutinib filing steps, Pluvicto and Scemblix advances) that support medium-term growth expectations. GlobeNewswire Q4 Release
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend and capital returns — the company announced an annual dividend increase and continues shareholder-friendly actions (buybacks), which supports investor sentiment. GlobeNewswire Dividend & Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst stance largely supportive — several firms (Citi, BofA) maintained Buy ratings and see EPS upside despite near-term headwinds, helping stabilize sentiment. TipRanks Analyst Notes
• Neutral Sentiment: Deep dives and investor materials available — full earnings call transcripts and slide decks were published for investors who want details on segment performance and assumptions. Earnings Call Transcript (MSN)
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue miss and generics pressure — Q4 sales missed estimates as U.S. generic entrants eroded Entresto and Promacta sales, changing near-term growth mix. Benzinga on Generics/Pipeline
• Negative Sentiment: Cautious 2026 guidance — management expects a low single-digit decline in core operating profit for 2026 due to generic competition, which caps near-term earnings momentum. Reuters Guidance Report
• Negative Sentiment: Patent expiries and ESG/sustainability risks — analysts flag a major upcoming patent cliff and new ESG disclosures that could weigh on reputation, pricing power and financing over time. TipRanks ESG Risk Note

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

NVS has been the topic of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Novartis in a research note on Monday, October 27th. HSBC restated a “reduce” rating and set a $112.00 target price on shares of Novartis in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Barclays upgraded Novartis from an “underweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup restated a “buy” rating on shares of Novartis in a report on Thursday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Novartis from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, December 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $119.75.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new position in shares of Novartis in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. GFG Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Legacy Investment Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Novartis in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Valley Wealth Managers Inc. acquired a new position in Novartis during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC purchased a new stake in Novartis during the third quarter worth approximately $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 13.12% of the company’s stock.

Novartis Stock Up 0.6%

The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $140.19 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The company has a market cap of $324.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.50.

Novartis Company Profile

Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The company’s activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.