Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. Lowers Holdings in Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. lowered its position in shares of Zoetis Inc. (NYSE:ZTS) by 13.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,169,288 shares of the company’s stock after selling 176,888 shares during the period. Zoetis comprises approximately 1.8% of Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P.’s holdings, making the stock its 12th largest holding. Vaughan Nelson Investment Management L.P. owned about 0.26% of Zoetis worth $190,512,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Zoetis in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. First Personal Financial Services purchased a new stake in shares of Zoetis during the third quarter valued at about $33,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of Zoetis in the 3rd quarter valued at about $33,000. Dunhill Financial LLC grew its position in shares of Zoetis by 80.6% in the 3rd quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 168 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 75 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fortitude Family Office LLC lifted its position in Zoetis by 1,387.5% during the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 238 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. 92.80% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Zoetis Price Performance

Shares of Zoetis stock opened at $171.37 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $77.32 billion, a PE ratio of 32.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 0.90. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $169.26 and a 200 day moving average price of $179.22. The company has a quick ratio of 2.27, a current ratio of 3.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.26. Zoetis Inc. has a twelve month low of $144.80 and a twelve month high of $200.53.

Zoetis Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 3rd. Stockholders of record on Monday, April 21st will be given a dividend of $0.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, April 21st. This represents a $2.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.17%. Zoetis’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.59%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ZTS has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their price objective on Zoetis from $248.00 to $243.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 29th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Zoetis from $210.00 to $180.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Leerink Partners assumed coverage on shares of Zoetis in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $215.00 price target on the stock. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Zoetis in a research note on Monday, December 9th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $196.00 price objective for the company. Finally, Leerink Partnrs upgraded Zoetis to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $215.00.

About Zoetis

Zoetis Inc engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of animal health medicines, vaccines, and diagnostic products and services in the United States and internationally. The company commercializes products primarily across species, including livestock, such as cattle, swine, poultry, fish, and sheep and others; and companion animals comprising dogs, cats, and horses.