Fox Run Management L.L.C. Makes New $1.48 Million Investment in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Fox Run Management L.L.C. bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 22,614 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,482,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Albion Financial Group UT grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Groupama Asset Managment boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 22.9% during the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 101,225 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company's stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $55,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms recently commented on AZN. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating for the company. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.

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AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock traded down $0.33 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $72.72. The stock had a trading volume of 6,516,136 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,953,231. The stock's 50 day moving average is $73.29 and its 200 day moving average is $71.78. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $62.75 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $225.52 billion, a PE ratio of 32.18, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $1.03 dividend. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.15%.

AstraZeneca Profile

AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company's marketed products include Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Farxiga, Brilinta, Lokelma, Roxadustat, Andexxa, Crestor, Seloken, Onglyza, Bydureon, Fasenra, Breztri, Symbicort, Saphnelo, Tezspire, Pulmicort, Bevespi, and Daliresp for cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, and oncology.