GSK PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:GSK) Receives Average Recommendation of “Reduce” from Analysts

Shares of GSK PLC Sponsored ADR (NYSE:GSK) have received an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, seven have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $44.1250.

Several equities analysts have recently commented on GSK shares. HSBC reaffirmed a “reduce” rating on shares of GSK in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Barclays reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Friday, February 20th. Citigroup reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of GSK in a report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Friday, January 16th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Brighton Jones LLC bought a new position in GSK in the fourth quarter worth about $528,000. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in GSK by 84.4% in the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 40,239 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,559,000 after buying an additional 18,420 shares during the period. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its position in GSK by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 79,174 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $3,067,000 after acquiring an additional 1,598 shares in the last quarter. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its position in GSK by 20.7% during the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 22,209 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $853,000 after acquiring an additional 3,806 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Quantbot Technologies LP grew its holdings in shares of GSK by 184.6% during the 2nd quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 138,898 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $5,334,000 after acquiring an additional 90,097 shares during the period. 15.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

GSK Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of GSK opened at $56.06 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $113.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.15, a PEG ratio of 3.34 and a beta of 0.44. 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 firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $49.56. GSK has a twelve month low of $32.38 and a twelve month high of $61.69.

GSK Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 9th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $0.4856 dividend. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. This is an increase from GSK’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.42. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. GSK’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.62%.

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.