China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Acquires 8,018 Shares of Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX)

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Royalty Pharma plc (NASDAQ:RPRX) by 9.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 94,208 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock after purchasing an additional 8,018 shares during the period. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.’s holdings in Royalty Pharma were worth $2,403,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in RPRX. Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in Royalty Pharma by 31.3% during the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,579 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the period. Aurora Investment Counsel raised its holdings in shares of Royalty Pharma by 1.0% during the third quarter. Aurora Investment Counsel now owns 50,441 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $1,427,000 after purchasing an additional 512 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its position in Royalty Pharma by 31.4% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,471 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 590 shares during the period. Values First Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 7.6% in the third quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 10,412 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $295,000 after purchasing an additional 738 shares during the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp boosted its holdings in Royalty Pharma by 4.3% in the third quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 18,749 shares of the biopharmaceutical company’s stock worth $531,000 after purchasing an additional 779 shares during the last quarter. 54.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

RPRX has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen upgraded Royalty Pharma to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, December 24th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Royalty Pharma from $60.00 to $40.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Royalty Pharma from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $41.67.

Royalty Pharma Price Performance

NASDAQ RPRX opened at $31.58 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.54, a quick ratio of 1.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Royalty Pharma plc has a 12 month low of $24.05 and a 12 month high of $32.21. The stock has a market cap of $18.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.36 and a beta of 0.47. The company’s 50 day moving average is $27.34 and its two-hundred day moving average is $27.53.

Royalty Pharma Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.79%. This is an increase from Royalty Pharma’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.21. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. Royalty Pharma’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 43.52%.

Royalty Pharma Company Profile

Royalty Pharma plc operates as a buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a funder of innovations in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States. It is also involved in the identification, evaluation, and acquisition of royalties on various biopharmaceutical therapies. In addition, the company collaborates with innovators from academic institutions, research hospitals and not-for-profits, small and mid-cap biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies.