National Pension Service Sells 147,726 Shares of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV)

National Pension Service lessened its position in shares of IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) by 34.0% during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 287,341 shares of the medical research company’s stock after selling 147,726 shares during the period. National Pension Service’s holdings in IQVIA were worth $56,465,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in IQV. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co boosted its position in IQVIA by 62.3% during the 4th quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 15,392 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $3,025,000 after buying an additional 5,911 shares during the period. Edge Capital Group LLC raised its holdings in IQVIA by 622.7% in the 4th quarter. Edge Capital Group LLC now owns 13,096 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $2,573,000 after purchasing an additional 11,284 shares in the last quarter. South Dakota Investment Council bought a new position in IQVIA in the 4th quarter worth $2,462,000. Howard Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in IQVIA by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,147 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Abound Financial LLC bought a new position in IQVIA in the 4th quarter worth $512,000. Institutional investors own 89.62% of the company’s stock.

Insider Transactions at IQVIA

In other news, Director John G. Danhakl bought 1,275 shares of IQVIA stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 3rd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $200.58 per share, with a total value of $255,739.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 1,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $255,739.50. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

IQVIA Price Performance

Shares of IQVIA stock opened at $186.40 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $199.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $215.26. IQVIA Holdings Inc. has a 52 week low of $184.66 and a 52 week high of $261.73. The company has a market capitalization of $32.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.85, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12.

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. TD Cowen decreased their price objective on shares of IQVIA from $270.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 1st. Truist Financial restated a “buy” rating and issued a $263.00 price objective (up from $261.00) on shares of IQVIA in a report on Monday, February 10th. Stephens initiated coverage on shares of IQVIA in a report on Friday, December 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. William Blair reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of IQVIA in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. Finally, BTIG Research lowered shares of IQVIA from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Four 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, IQVIA has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $251.22.

IQVIA Company Profile

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.