What is Zacks Research’s Forecast for Novartis Q1 Earnings?

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) – Research analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for Novartis in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, November 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the company will post earnings of $2.27 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.29. The consensus estimate for Novartis’ current full-year earnings is $8.45 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Novartis’ Q2 2026 earnings at $2.69 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $2.07 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $9.27 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $10.22 EPS.

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 28th. The company reported $2.25 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.26 by ($0.01). Novartis had a return on equity of 41.21% and a net margin of 26.49%.The firm had revenue of $13.91 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.06 EPS. Novartis’s revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

NVS has been the topic of a number of other reports. HC Wainwright cut shares of Novartis to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 27th. Morgan Stanley raised Novartis from an “equal weight” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 31st. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “sell” rating and set a $118.00 price objective (down from $119.00) on shares of Novartis in a research report on Friday, September 12th. Cfra set a $126.00 price objective on Novartis and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. Finally, Cfra Research raised shares of Novartis to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $122.33.

Novartis Price Performance

Shares of Novartis stock traded up $1.25 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $133.54. 577,448 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,828,094. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a market cap of $282.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.60. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $127.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $121.12. Novartis has a fifty-two week low of $96.06 and a fifty-two week high of $133.71.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in Novartis by 85.0% during the third quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 1,045,191 shares of the company’s stock worth $134,035,000 after buying an additional 480,201 shares in the last quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 217.1% during the third quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 72,604 shares of the company’s stock valued at $9,311,000 after acquiring an additional 49,711 shares during the last quarter. Aull & Monroe Investment Management Corp increased its position in Novartis by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Aull & Monroe Investment Management Corp now owns 3,771 shares of the company’s stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Novartis by 5.2% in the 3rd quarter. Fort Sheridan Advisors LLC now owns 8,446 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,083,000 after purchasing an additional 419 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Novartis by 0.6% during the 3rd quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 41,400 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,309,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. 13.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Novartis

Novartis AG engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It focuses on therapeutic areas, such as cardiovascular, renal and metabolic, immunology, neuroscience, and oncology, as well as ophthalmology and hematology.