GSK plc (NYSE:GSK) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of GSK plc (NYSE:GSK) have been given an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by the nine brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, two have issued a buy recommendation and three have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $50.00.

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on shares of GSK from $52.50 to $53.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 2nd. Citigroup raised shares of GSK to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. UBS Group downgraded shares of GSK from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, July 8th. Argus raised shares of GSK to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 7th. Finally, Berenberg Bank raised GSK to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, June 20th.

GSK Price Performance

Shares of GSK stock opened at $40.71 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $84.37 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.75, a P/E/G ratio of 1.31 and a beta of 0.66. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $41.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $41.61. GSK has a one year low of $33.67 and a one year high of $45.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.54.

GSK (NYSE:GSK) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 31st. The pharmaceutical company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $9.95 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.49 billion. GSK had a return on equity of 51.48% and a net margin of 12.87%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that GSK will post 4.17 EPS for the current year.

GSK Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 10th. Investors of record on Friday, August 16th will be given a dividend of $0.3843 per share. This represents a $1.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.78%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 16th. This is a positive change from GSK’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.38. GSK’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 54.71%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. 1832 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in GSK by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 3,078 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $132,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares during the last quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in GSK by 2.7% in the fourth quarter. Personal CFO Solutions LLC now owns 10,087 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $374,000 after acquiring an additional 263 shares during the last quarter. Boltwood Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of GSK by 2.5% during the 2nd quarter. Boltwood Capital Management now owns 11,133 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $429,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the period. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. lifted its position in GSK by 4.7% in the first quarter. J.W. Cole Advisors Inc. now owns 6,097 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $261,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its position in shares of GSK by 4.7% during the 2nd quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 6,359 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $245,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. 15.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

GSK Company Profile

GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, and manufacture of vaccines, and specialty and general medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Commercial Operations and Total R&D.