Franklin Resources Inc. Increases Stake in IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV)

Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) by 4.7% in the 4th quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 525,489 shares of the medical research company’s stock after buying an additional 23,682 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.’s holdings in IQVIA were worth $103,264,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of IQV. Synergy Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of IQVIA in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new position in IQVIA during the fourth quarter valued at $44,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its holdings in shares of IQVIA by 55.2% during the 4th quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 239 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 85 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of IQVIA by 46.0% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 295 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $58,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new position in IQVIA during the 4th quarter valued at about $60,000. 89.62% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

IQVIA Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:IQV opened at $174.52 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $191.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $204.92. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 0.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $30.77 billion, a PE ratio of 23.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.50. IQVIA Holdings Inc. has a twelve month low of $169.11 and a twelve month high of $252.88.

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IQV has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $270.00 price objective on shares of IQVIA in a report on Monday, February 10th. UBS Group reduced their price objective on IQVIA from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Stephens began coverage on IQVIA in a report on Friday, December 20th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $250.00 target price on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on IQVIA from $273.00 to $261.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, BTIG Research lowered IQVIA from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, IQVIA currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $249.05.

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.