Royalty Pharma PLC (NASDAQ:RPRX) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Buy” by Brokerages

Royalty Pharma PLC (NASDAQ:RPRX) has received a consensus recommendation of “Buy” from the six research firms that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $48.6667.

A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Royalty Pharma from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 12th. Leerink Partners set a $45.00 target price on shares of Royalty Pharma in a research report on Thursday, December 11th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Royalty Pharma from $48.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Royalty Pharma in a research note on Thursday, February 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Royalty Pharma from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, February 14th.

Insider Buying and Selling at Royalty Pharma

In other news, EVP Marshall Urist sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, January 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.26, for a total value of $805,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 20,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $805,200. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP George W. Lloyd sold 79,346 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $38.57, for a total transaction of $3,060,375.22. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 30,654 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,182,324.78. This represents a 72.13% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold a total of 737,078 shares of company stock worth $29,862,002 over the last ninety days. 18.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Royalty Pharma

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. LM Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Royalty Pharma in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. acquired a new position in shares of Royalty Pharma during the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Private Trust Co. NA increased its stake in shares of Royalty Pharma by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 832 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 288 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Royalty Pharma by 868.1% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 881 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 790 shares during the period. Finally, Financial Consulate Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Royalty Pharma in the 3rd quarter valued at about $35,000. 54.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Royalty Pharma Stock Down 0.6%

Royalty Pharma stock opened at $45.41 on Monday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $42.54 and a 200-day moving average of $39.20. The company has a quick ratio of 2.40, a current ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.88. Royalty Pharma has a twelve month low of $29.66 and a twelve month high of $47.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.20 billion, a PE ratio of 33.64 and a beta of 0.40.

Royalty Pharma (NASDAQ:RPRX) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 11th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.13. Royalty Pharma had a return on equity of 28.21% and a net margin of 32.38%.The firm had revenue of $621.99 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $839.97 million. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Royalty Pharma will post 4.49 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Royalty Pharma Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 10th. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $0.235 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.1%. This is a boost from Royalty Pharma’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. Royalty Pharma’s payout ratio is currently 69.63%.

Royalty Pharma Company Profile

Royalty Pharma plc is a specialty finance company that acquires biopharmaceutical royalty interests and provides non-dilutive financing to drug developers and rights holders. The firm purchases future royalty streams, milestone-contingent payments and other revenue rights linked to approved and late-stage pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. By paying upfront consideration for these rights, Royalty Pharma seeks to generate long-term cash flows tied to the commercial performance of a diversified portfolio of medicines.

The company’s transaction structures include outright royalty purchases, structured financings and milestone arrangements tailored to the needs of innovator companies, academic institutions and investors.