IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) Receives Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Brokerages

Shares of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two analysts that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $241.50.

Several research firms have issued reports on IQV. StockNews.com downgraded IQVIA from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 12th. BTIG Research lowered IQVIA from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Monday, February 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of IQVIA from $240.00 to $232.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, February 18th. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $270.00 price objective on shares of IQVIA in a research note on Monday, February 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of IQVIA from $245.00 to $250.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, February 11th.

IQVIA Stock Performance

NYSE IQV opened at $149.14 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 0.84. The company has a market capitalization of $26.29 billion, a PE ratio of 19.88, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.46. IQVIA has a 52-week low of $135.97 and a 52-week high of $252.88. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.02 and a 200 day simple moving average of $198.45.

IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $2.90 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.11 by ($0.21). IQVIA had a net margin of 8.91% and a return on equity of 28.81%. On average, research analysts predict that IQVIA will post 10.84 EPS for the current year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On IQVIA

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of IQV. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of IQVIA in the fourth quarter worth approximately $336,041,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in IQVIA in the 4th quarter worth $236,120,000. American Century Companies Inc. raised its stake in shares of IQVIA by 396.0% during the fourth quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,134,737 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $222,987,000 after acquiring an additional 905,960 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of IQVIA by 53.4% during the fourth quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 2,590,260 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $509,012,000 after purchasing an additional 902,226 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board grew its stake in shares of IQVIA by 20.0% in the fourth quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 4,282,024 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $841,461,000 after purchasing an additional 712,958 shares during the last quarter. 89.62% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About IQVIA

IQVIA Holdings Inc engages in the provision of advanced analytics, technology solutions, and clinical research services to the life sciences industry in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Technology & Analytics Solutions, Research & Development Solutions, and Contract Sales & Medical Solutions.