Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) is Willis Investment Counsel’s 6th Largest Position

Willis Investment Counsel grew its holdings in shares of Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) by 5.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,022,934 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock after buying an additional 55,732 shares during the period. Pfizer accounts for 2.4% of Willis Investment Counsel’s portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Willis Investment Counsel’s holdings in Pfizer were worth $37,521,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Front Street Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Pfizer by 4.3% in the first quarter. Front Street Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,168 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $268,000 after purchasing an additional 215 shares in the last quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in Pfizer by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC now owns 7,287 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $373,000 after buying an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Motco increased its stake in shares of Pfizer by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 31,376 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,608,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares during the last quarter. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A raised its holdings in shares of Pfizer by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. OLD Point Trust & Financial Services N A now owns 49,152 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $2,519,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Finally, Confluence Wealth Services Inc. boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. Confluence Wealth Services Inc. now owns 55,282 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $2,833,000 after acquiring an additional 252 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.05% of the company’s stock.

Pfizer Stock Performance

Shares of PFE stock opened at $33.64 on Tuesday. Pfizer Inc. has a 52 week low of $33.44 and a 52 week high of $54.93. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $35.80 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.82, a current ratio of 2.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62. The stock has a market capitalization of $189.93 billion, a PE ratio of 8.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.14 and a beta of 0.59.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.10. The firm had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.36 billion. Pfizer had a return on equity of 28.36% and a net margin of 27.55%. Pfizer’s revenue for the quarter was down 54.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.04 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Pfizer Inc. will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 5th. Investors of record on Friday, July 28th were issued a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 27th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.88%. Pfizer’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 43.62%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have commented on PFE. Truist Financial reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $62.00 target price on shares of Pfizer in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price objective on Pfizer from $45.00 to $44.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Credit Suisse Group cut Pfizer from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their target price for the stock from $47.00 to $40.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Barclays lowered their price target on Pfizer from $40.00 to $38.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $40.00 to $38.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Twelve equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $46.35.

About Pfizer

Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, 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.