Novartis slides as shares trade ex-dividend for annual payout

Novartis AG (NVS) is down 3.6% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.

Analysis: The most likely driver is an ex-dividend move: Novartis’ U.S.-listed ADR appears to be trading ex-dividend today, which typically causes an automatic price adjustment lower by roughly the value of the upcoming cash distribution. Some additional pressure may also be tied to investor focus on 2026 headwinds from key product patent expirations.

Details:

Multiple market calendars list March 11, 2026 as the ex-dividend date for Novartis’ NYSE ADR, with the cash payment scheduled for March 16, 2026.

Novartis’ Board proposed a CHF 3.70 per-share dividend for shareholder approval at the March 6, 2026 Annual General Meeting, as disclosed in the company’s interim financial report.

Novartis’ investor FAQ notes the ADR dividend is paid in stages, with an initial payment equal to 65% of the payout on March 16, 2026, and currency conversion for that payment determined on March 11, 2026.

Separately, recent company commentary has highlighted that 2026 operating profit could face pressure as exclusivity for major products begins to roll off, which can weigh on sentiment around dividend season.

Sources:

Novartis, Stock Analysis, MarketBeat, Investing.com

Disclaimer: This price movement analysis was generated with the help of AI. Please double-check the information provided for mistakes.

$NVS Hedge Fund Activity

We have seen 637 institutional investors add shares of $NVS stock to their portfolio, and 617 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

Here are some of the largest recent moves:

AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE CO added 4,613,796 shares (+31819.3%) to their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $636,104,054
PRIMECAP MANAGEMENT CO/CA/ removed 1,762,580 shares (-18.9%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $243,006,904
DODGE & COX removed 1,570,504 shares (-14.8%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $216,525,386
WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT GROUP LLP removed 1,388,260 shares (-98.9%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $191,399,406
MORGAN STANLEY added 1,148,033 shares (+14.9%) to their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $158,279,309
GQG PARTNERS LLC added 895,255 shares (+39.6%) to their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $123,428,806
BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. removed 858,229 shares (-99.4%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $118,324,032

To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Quiver Quantitative's institutional holdings dashboard.

$NVS Congressional Stock Trading

Members of Congress have traded $NVS stock 5 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 2 have been purchases and 3 have been sales.

Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $NVS stock by members of Congress over the last 6 months:

REPRESENTATIVE LISA C. MCCLAIN has traded it 5 times. They made 2 purchases worth up to $30,000 on 10/30, 09/11 and 3 sales worth up to $45,000 on 10/31, 10/30, 09/25.

To track congressional stock trading, check out Quiver Quantitative's congressional trading dashboard.

$NVS Analyst Ratings

Wall Street analysts have issued reports on $NVS in the last several months. We have seen 1 firms issue buy ratings on the stock, and 0 firms issue sell ratings.

Here are some recent analyst ratings:

JP Morgan issued a "Overweight" rating on 12/08/2025

To track analyst ratings and price targets for $NVS, check out Quiver Quantitative's $NVS forecast page.

This article is not financial advice. See Quiver Quantitative's disclaimers for more information. Note that there may be inaccuracies due to mistakes in ticker-mapping, and other anomalies.