Novartis AG Announces Annual Dividend of $4.77 (NYSE:NVS)

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) declared an annual dividend on Wednesday, February 4th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 11th will be given a dividend of 4.773 per share on Monday, March 16th. This represents a dividend yield of 312.0%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 11th.

Novartis has decreased its dividend payment by an average of 0.3%annually over the last three years. Novartis has a dividend payout ratio of 28.7% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Novartis to earn $8.81 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.59 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 29.4%.

Novartis Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:NVS traded up $0.84 during trading on Thursday, reaching $153.75. The stock had a trading volume of 2,302,520 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,947,678. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $139.72 and a 200-day moving average price of $130.36. Novartis has a 1-year low of $97.71 and a 1-year high of $154.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market cap of $324.79 billion, a PE ratio of 21.01, a PEG ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 0.50.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The company reported $2.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.99 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $524.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.85 billion. Novartis had a net margin of 26.49% and a return on equity of 41.21%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.98 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that Novartis will post 8.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Key Headlines Impacting Novartis

Here are the key news stories impacting Novartis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Novartis reiterated strong full‑year 2025 performance: high single‑digit sales growth, expanded core margin (~40%), higher core EPS and multiple late‑stage pipeline milestones that support longer‑term growth. Novartis delivered high single-digit sales growth, achieved 40% core margin and further advanced the pipeline in 2025
• Positive Sentiment: Board announced an annual dividend of 4.773 per share (record date March 11, payable March 16), signaling cash return priority that can support investor demand.
• Positive Sentiment: Some analysts remain constructive: a reported price‑target lift (to $149.84) and maintained Buy ratings from major houses underline continued analyst conviction despite near‑term pressure. Novartis AG – depositary receipt (NVS) price target increased by 10.96% to 149.84
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 results: NVS beat EPS, driven by margin strength, but revenue missed amid U.S. generics (Entresto, Promacta) — a mixed print that supports valuation upside but flags near‑term sales pressure. Novartis AG (NVS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Full-Year Growth Amidst Q4 Challenges
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor commentary highlights Novartis as a value + growth story (discounted multiple, share buybacks, several near‑term clinical readouts) — supportive for a slow re‑rating if upcoming readouts confirm expectations. Novartis: Value Price, Growth Pipeline
• Negative Sentiment: Novartis guided to a low single‑digit decline in 2026 core operating profit due to cheaper generic competition — a near‑term drag that tempers the stock’s rally. Novartis expects low single-digit decline in 2026 operating profit
• Negative Sentiment: New ESG/sustainability risk disclosure flagged by analysts could weigh on reputation and financing if not addressed, adding a non‑financial risk premium for some investors. Novartis Faces Mounting ESG and Sustainability Risks That Could Weigh on Reputation, Financing, and Long-Term Value

Novartis Company Profile

Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Basel that researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines and related health-care products. Formed through the 1996 merger of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz, Novartis operates globally and focuses on bringing therapeutics from discovery through clinical development to commercial markets worldwide.

The company’s activities center on innovative pharmaceuticals across several therapeutic areas, including oncology, immunology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, neuroscience and ophthalmology, alongside capabilities in advanced therapies such as biologics, cell and gene therapies.