Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Qiagen (NYSE:QGEN) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nine analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and five have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $51.50.

Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on QGEN shares. Hsbc Global Res raised shares of Qiagen to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. HSBC cut shares of Qiagen from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $49.00 target price for the company. in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $54.00 price target (up previously from $42.00) on shares of Qiagen in a report on Tuesday, December 10th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an “equal weight” rating and issued a $48.00 price objective (down from $50.00) on shares of Qiagen in a report on Monday.

Qiagen Trading Up 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE QGEN opened at $45.23 on Thursday. Qiagen has a 12-month low of $39.03 and a 12-month high of $47.44. The company has a market cap of $10.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 115.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.52 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a current ratio of 2.17, a quick ratio of 1.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $43.88 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.86.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Qiagen

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Qiagen by 806.5% in the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 562 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 500 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank acquired a new position in shares of Qiagen in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in shares of Qiagen by 39.8% in the 3rd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 853 shares of the company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 243 shares in the last quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB bought a new stake in shares of Qiagen in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC lifted its stake in Qiagen by 396.6% during the second quarter. Headlands Technologies LLC now owns 2,741 shares of the company’s stock valued at $113,000 after purchasing an additional 2,189 shares during the last quarter. 70.00% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Qiagen

QIAGEN N.V. offers sample to insight solutions that transform biological materials into molecular insights worldwide. The company provides primary sample technology consumables, such as nucleic stabilization and purification kits for primary sample materials, manual and automated processing for genotyping, gene expression, and viral and bacterial analysis, as well as silica membranes and magnetic bead technologies; secondary sample technology consumables, including kits and components for purification of nucleic acids from secondary sample materials; and instruments for nucleic acid purification and accessories.