Arete Wealth Advisors LLC Buys 4,200 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Arete Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 98.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 8,474 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,200 shares during the quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $555,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during 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 during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company's stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 4.4 %

AZN traded down $2.92 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $63.84. 4,554,388 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,253,461. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $61.24 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market capitalization of $197.98 billion, a PE ratio of 28.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $73.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.04.

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 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 anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZN has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. One 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.

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.