24,168 Shares in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Acquired by Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC

Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 24,168 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,583,000.

Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 14.8% during the fourth quarter. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC now owns 25,528 shares of the company's stock worth $1,673,000 after purchasing an additional 3,285 shares during the period. Meridian Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Meridian Wealth Management LLC now owns 13,511 shares of the company's stock worth $885,000 after purchasing an additional 617 shares during the period. Mission Wealth Management LP boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 8,577 shares of the company's stock worth $562,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares during the period. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 65.2% during the fourth quarter. LGT Fund Management Co Ltd. now owns 44,860 shares of the company's stock worth $2,939,000 after purchasing an additional 17,700 shares during the period. Finally, LGT Group Foundation acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $233,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.9 %

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $77.96 on Thursday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The firm has a market cap of $241.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.50, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company's 50 day moving average is $70.39 and its 200-day moving average is $72.84.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. Equities analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 91.15%.

About AstraZeneca

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.

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