Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 428,441 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $28,071,000.
Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in 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. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
AstraZeneca Trading Down 1.2 %
Shares of AZN traded down $0.90 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $72.60. 4,724,954 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,114,663. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68. 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 fifty day moving average price is $73.78 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $71.53. The company has a market capitalization of $225.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share 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%. Equities research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared 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 represents a yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is presently 91.15%.
Analyst Ratings Changes
A number of analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. 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 note on Thursday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.
View Our Latest Analysis on AZN
About AstraZeneca
(
Free Report)
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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