Americana Partners LLC Has $2.80 Million Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Americana Partners LLC lifted its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 50.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 42,722 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 14,309 shares during the quarter. Americana Partners LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,799,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in AZN. Martin Investment Management LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 2.8% during the third quarter. Martin Investment Management LLC now owns 284,204 shares of the company's stock worth $22,571,000 after purchasing an additional 7,615 shares during the period. Nordea Investment Management AB bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth approximately $754,000. Diversify Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,402 shares of the company's stock worth $295,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 25.9% during the fourth quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 9,487 shares of the company's stock worth $622,000 after purchasing an additional 1,949 shares during the period. Finally, Integrated Advisors Network LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 46.6% during the third quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 43,610 shares of the company's stock worth $3,398,000 after purchasing an additional 13,860 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock traded down $0.36 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $74.20. 3,614,801 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,231,667. AstraZeneca PLC has a fifty-two week low of $62.75 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $230.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.46. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $68.76 and a 200-day moving average price of $73.26. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. Analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is a positive change 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 91.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a 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 given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $89.75.

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.