Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Earns “Outperform” Rating from BMO Capital Markets

BMO Capital Markets restated their outperform rating on shares of Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) in a research report report published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a $36.00 price target on the biopharmaceutical company’s stock, up from their prior price target of $33.00.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on the company. Guggenheim initiated coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Friday, February 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $36.00 price objective on the stock. TD Cowen downgraded shares of Pfizer from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and set a $32.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, January 4th. Cantor Fitzgerald restated an overweight rating and set a $45.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Monday, April 15th. Finally, Argus cut Pfizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, March 22nd. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pfizer has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $36.00.

Pfizer Stock Up 0.4 %

Shares of PFE stock opened at $27.81 on Thursday. Pfizer has a 52-week low of $25.20 and a 52-week high of $40.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.91 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The company’s 50 day moving average is $26.88 and its 200 day moving average is $28.16.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.56 by $0.26. The firm had revenue of $14.88 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.87 billion. Pfizer had a positive return on equity of 8.58% and a negative net margin of 0.56%. The firm’s revenue was down 19.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.23 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Pfizer will post 2.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 14th. Investors of record on Friday, May 10th will be paid a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.04%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 9th. Pfizer’s payout ratio is -2,799.53%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pfizer

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Briaud Financial Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of Pfizer in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC increased its stake in Pfizer by 304.9% during the fourth quarter. GoalVest Advisory LLC now owns 1,077 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 811 shares during the last quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the fourth quarter worth $32,000. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC boosted its stake in Pfizer by 100.0% in the first quarter. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC now owns 1,200 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 600 shares during the period. Finally, Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. bought a new position in Pfizer during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.