Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) Trading 3.2% Higher Following Analyst Upgrade

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) traded up 3.2% during trading on Tuesday after HSBC raised their price target on the stock from $29.00 to $32.00. HSBC currently has a buy rating on the stock. Pfizer traded as high as $27.76 and last traded at $27.4720. 59,452,849 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 27% from the average session volume of 46,669,520 shares. The stock had previously closed at $26.61.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on PFE. Royal Bank Of Canada initiated coverage on Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, February 24th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $25.00 price objective for the company. Daiwa Securities Group lowered shares of Pfizer from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and set a $27.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday, February 12th. Argus raised shares of Pfizer from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $35.00 price target for the company in a research report on Monday, March 2nd. Wolfe Research set a $24.00 price objective on Pfizer and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 17th. Finally, UBS Group began coverage on Pfizer in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $25.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating, thirteen have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Pfizer presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $28.14.

Key Pfizer News

Here are the key news stories impacting Pfizer this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Pfizer reported positive topline Phase 2 results for its next‑generation CDK4 inhibitor atirmociclib in HR+/HER2‑ metastatic breast cancer — the combo reduced risk of progression or death by ~40% versus control, positioning atirmociclib as a potential successor to Ibrance and a meaningful oncology revenue driver if confirmed in later trials. Pfizer Announces Positive Topline Phase 2 Results for Atirmociclib
• Positive Sentiment: Major media and wire outlets (Reuters/BusinessWire) highlighted the trial win and its magnitude (40% risk reduction), which is driving optimism around Pfizer’s oncology strategy and helps the stock’s re‑rating story. Reuters: Pfizer experimental breast cancer drug cuts risk
• Positive Sentiment: HSBC raised its price target to $32 and maintained a Buy rating, giving institutional support and signaling ~16% upside to analysts’ consensus targets — a catalyst for near‑term buying. Benzinga: HSBC raises Pfizer PT
• Positive Sentiment: Competitive dynamics improved after a rival (Bicycle) scaled back a Padcev challenger, reducing near‑term competitive pressure on Pfizer’s fast‑selling bladder cancer drug. That lowers some downside risk to future sales. BioPharmaDive: Bicycle layoffs, Padcev challenger deprioritized
• Neutral Sentiment: Jim Cramer and other commentators noted Pfizer’s sizable pipeline (retail interest), which can boost retail flows but doesn’t change fundamentals absent confirmatory Phase 3 data or regulatory actions. Yahoo: Jim Cramer on Pfizer pipeline
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage and attention pieces (Zacks, IP Group mentions) point to rising investor focus and deal flow benefits (e.g., prior Metsera deal), but these are incremental until monetized or reflected in guidance. Zacks: Pfizer attracting attention
• Negative Sentiment: Longer‑term risk reminder: analysts and commentators caution that Pfizer still faces revenue pressure from loss of COVID exclusivity and other patent cliffs — positive trial news helps re‑rate but does not eliminate those macro risks. The Motley Fool: Key risks for Pfizer

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Pfizer

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in Pfizer by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 541,346,182 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $13,479,520,000 after acquiring an additional 7,031,162 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in Pfizer by 0.5% during the 4th quarter. State Street Corp now owns 300,445,164 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $7,481,085,000 after purchasing an additional 1,357,756 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Pfizer by 0.9% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 130,192,081 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $3,235,642,000 after buying an additional 1,184,728 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Pfizer in the second quarter valued at approximately $2,270,157,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in Pfizer by 19.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 89,113,604 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $2,218,929,000 after purchasing an additional 14,342,946 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Pfizer Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 1.16 and a quick ratio of 0.87. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $26.57 and a 200-day moving average price of $25.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $156.21 billion, a PE ratio of 20.20 and a beta of 0.47.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.57 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $17.56 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $16.93 billion. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.42% and a return on equity of 20.48%. The company’s quarterly revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.63 earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Company Profile

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) is a multinational biopharmaceutical company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1849 by Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes a broad range of medicines and vaccines for human health. Its activities span discovery research, clinical development, regulatory affairs, manufacturing and global commercial distribution across multiple therapeutic areas.

Pfizer’s portfolio and pipeline cover oncology, immunology, cardiology, endocrinology, rare diseases, hospital acute care and anti-infectives, along with a substantial vaccine business.