Advisors Asset Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 21.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 43,116 shares of the company's stock after selling 11,812 shares during the quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,825,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Swedbank AB raised its position in AstraZeneca by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company's stock worth $210,806,000 after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.0% in the third quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 238,228 shares of the company's stock valued at $18,560,000 after buying an additional 4,580 shares during the period. Commerce Bank raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 6.2% during the third quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 19,413 shares of the company's stock worth $1,512,000 after acquiring an additional 1,131 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 39.3% in the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,810 shares of the company's stock worth $1,388,000 after acquiring an additional 5,022 shares during the period. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 27.6% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 5,458 shares of the company's stock valued at $425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,180 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report 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 data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on AZN
AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.5 %
Shares of AZN stock traded down $0.33 on Wednesday, reaching $72.72. 6,033,641 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,945,977. 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 company has a 50-day moving average of $73.15 and a 200-day moving average of $71.77. The company has a market cap of $225.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.18, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $62.75 and a one year high of $87.68.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. Analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share 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 issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is presently 91.15%.
AstraZeneca Company Profile
(
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.
Featured Stories
Before you consider AstraZeneca, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and AstraZeneca wasn't on the list.
While AstraZeneca currently has a Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
Nuclear energy stocks are roaring. It's the hottest energy sector of the year. Cameco Corp, Paladin Energy, and BWX Technologies were all up more than 40% in 2024. The biggest market moves could still be ahead of us, and there are seven nuclear energy stocks that could rise much higher in the next several months. To unlock these tickers, enter your email address below.
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.
