IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) Shares Gap Up – Should You Buy?

IQVIA Holdings Inc. (NYSE:IQV) gapped up prior to trading on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $205.44, but opened at $218.10. IQVIA shares last traded at $215.73, with a volume of 222,162 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

IQV has been the topic of several research reports. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of IQVIA in a report on Wednesday, December 11th. Barclays cut their price target on IQVIA from $255.00 to $235.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Robert W. Baird decreased their price objective on IQVIA from $212.00 to $210.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, January 21st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on IQVIA from $270.00 to $265.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Finally, TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of IQVIA from $270.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, November 1st. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, IQVIA currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $252.39.

IQVIA Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $200.53 and a 200 day simple moving average of $219.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $37.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 27.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 0.84.

IQVIA (NYSE:IQV) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The medical research company reported $2.90 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.11 by ($0.21). IQVIA had a return on equity of 28.81% and a net margin of 8.91%. On average, equities analysts forecast that IQVIA Holdings Inc. will post 10.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director John G. Danhakl bought 1,275 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 3rd. The stock was purchased at an average price of $200.58 per share, with a total value of $255,739.50. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 1,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $255,739.50. This trade represents a ∞ increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 1.60% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On IQVIA

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in IQV. Private Trust Co. NA increased its holdings in shares of IQVIA by 10.7% in the third quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 485 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $115,000 after acquiring an additional 47 shares in the last quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC increased its stake in IQVIA by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Clear Harbor Asset Management LLC now owns 3,969 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $941,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares in the last quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co raised its holdings in IQVIA by 0.5% during the 3rd quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 9,481 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $2,247,000 after buying an additional 50 shares during the period. Howard Capital Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of IQVIA by 4.9% in the fourth quarter. Howard Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,147 shares of the medical research company’s stock valued at $225,000 after buying an additional 54 shares during the period. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC increased its position in shares of IQVIA by 2.9% during the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 1,977 shares of the medical research company’s stock worth $468,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.62% of the company’s stock.

IQVIA Company Profile

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.