GSK PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:GSK) Receives Consensus Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Shares of GSK PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:GSK) have been given an average rating of “Reduce” by the eleven analysts that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $44.1250.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on GSK shares. TD Cowen reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Monday. Citigroup restated a “neutral” rating on shares of GSK in a research note on Monday. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of GSK in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of GSK in a report on Monday, December 29th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of GSK in a research note on Wednesday, January 14th.

Insider Activity

In related news, major shareholder Plc Gsk acquired 1,470,000 shares of GSK stock in a transaction dated Thursday, December 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $19.00 per share, for a total transaction of $27,930,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 18,245,691 shares in the company, valued at approximately $346,668,129. This represents a 8.76% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 10.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of GSK

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. First Horizon Corp grew its holdings in shares of GSK by 78.7% in the fourth quarter. First Horizon Corp now owns 536 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Elyxium Wealth LLC bought a new position in GSK during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in GSK during the second quarter valued at $25,000. CNB Bank purchased a new position in shares of GSK in the 3rd quarter worth $31,000. Finally, CoreFirst Bank & Trust purchased a new position in GSK in the second quarter worth about $33,000. 15.74% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

GSK Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE GSK opened at $58.79 on Wednesday. GSK has a 52 week low of $32.38 and a 52 week high of $60.37. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.92. The company has a market capitalization of $119.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $50.34 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.29.

GSK Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $0.4856 dividend. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. This is a positive change from GSK’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. GSK’s dividend payout ratio is currently 45.95%.

GSK Company Profile

GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc) is a London-headquartered, multinational pharmaceutical and healthcare company formed through the 2000 merger of Glaxo Wellcome and SmithKline Beecham. The company is dual-listed and operates globally, developing, manufacturing and commercializing prescription medicines, vaccines and specialty treatments. Over its history GSK has evolved through portfolio reshaping and strategic transactions to focus on science-led pharmaceuticals and vaccines.

GSK’s core activities include research and development of therapies and vaccines across a range of therapeutic areas, commercial manufacturing, and global marketing.