Westerkirk Capital Inc. Raises Position in Zoetis Inc. $ZTS

Westerkirk Capital Inc. boosted its stake in Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) by 27.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 54,600 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 11,700 shares during the quarter. Westerkirk Capital Inc.’s holdings in Zoetis were worth $6,870,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. BLI Banque de Luxembourg Investments acquired a new stake in Zoetis in the 4th quarter valued at about $41,564,000. Ibex Investors LLC acquired a new stake in Zoetis in the 4th quarter valued at about $377,000. Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Zoetis during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,527,000. Manchester Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of Zoetis by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. Manchester Capital Management LLC now owns 1,652 shares of the company’s stock worth $208,000 after buying an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CNB Bank increased its holdings in shares of Zoetis by 11.0% during the 4th quarter. CNB Bank now owns 6,337 shares of the company’s stock worth $797,000 after buying an additional 629 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.80% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Zoetis

Here are the key news stories impacting Zoetis this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zoetis received UK approval for Lenivia (izenivetmab), a long-acting osteoarthritis pain therapy for dogs, which could support future product sales and help offset some legal-related negativity. Zoetis (ZTS) Receives UK Approval for Long-Acting Osteoarthritis Pain Therapy Lenivia
• Neutral Sentiment: Multiple law firms, including Rosen Law Firm, Levi & Korsinsky, Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter, Robbins Geller, the Schall Law Firm, Bronstein Gewirtz & Grossman, and DJS Law Group, issued repeated reminders about the pending securities class action and the July 27 lead-plaintiff deadline. ROSEN, A LONGSTANDING LAW FIRM, Encourages Zoetis Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action – ZTS
• Negative Sentiment: The class-action filings alleging securities-law violations and investor losses may increase legal costs, create headline risk, and keep pressure on Zoetis shares until more clarity emerges. Zoetis Inc. Sued for Securities Law Violations – Contact the DJS Law Group to Discuss Your Rights – ZTS

Zoetis Stock Down 0.8%

Zoetis stock opened at $78.80 on Tuesday. Zoetis Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $72.38 and a fifty-two week high of $169.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.80, a quick ratio of 1.91 and a current ratio of 3.15. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $99.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $115.24. The company has a market capitalization of $33.03 billion, a PE ratio of 13.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.75.

Zoetis (NYSE:ZTS) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 7th. The company reported $1.53 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.60 by ($0.07). Zoetis had a net margin of 27.80% and a return on equity of 66.85%. The company had revenue of $2.26 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.30 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.48 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 2.9% on a year-over-year basis. Zoetis has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.850-7.000 EPS. Research analysts expect that Zoetis Inc. will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 20th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 20th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.7%. Zoetis’s payout ratio is 35.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on ZTS shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Zoetis from $190.00 to $130.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 8th. Argus restated a “hold” rating on shares of Zoetis in a report on Wednesday, May 27th. Leerink Partners restated a “market perform” rating on shares of Zoetis in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Zoetis from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus cut their price target on shares of Zoetis from $105.00 to $95.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 22nd. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $133.92.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Michael B. Mccallister acquired 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $77.76 per share, with a total value of $233,280.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 24,524 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,906,986.24. This trade represents a 13.94% increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Paul Bisaro acquired 2,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 13th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $75.88 per share, with a total value of $151,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 27,862 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,114,168.56. The trade was a 7.73% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders acquired a total of 11,650 shares of company stock worth $886,384 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.22% of the company’s stock.

About Zoetis

Zoetis Inc (NYSE: ZTS) is a global animal health company that develops, manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of products and services for companion animals and livestock. The company’s offerings include pharmaceuticals, vaccines and biologics, parasiticides and anti-infectives, as well as diagnostic instruments, consumables and laboratory testing services. Zoetis serves the veterinary community, livestock producers and other animal-health customers with products designed to prevent, detect and treat disease and to support animal productivity and welfare.

Zoetis traces its roots to the animal health business of Pfizer and became an independent, publicly traded company following a 2013 separation and initial public offering.