AlphaCentric Advisors LLC Invests $2.08 Million in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

AlphaCentric Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 31,685 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,076,000. AstraZeneca accounts for about 2.1% of AlphaCentric Advisors LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 8th largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 320.8% during the 3rd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 247 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment raised its position 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. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.0 %

AZN traded up $0.75 during trading on Thursday, hitting $74.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,335,833 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,280,650. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $68.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $73.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The stock has a market cap of $231.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.99, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $62.75 and a twelve month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is presently 43.36%.

AstraZeneca Company 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.