AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Sold by Capital Research Global Investors

Capital Research Global Investors lessened its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 28.9% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 767,728 shares of the company's stock after selling 312,490 shares during the quarter. Capital Research Global Investors' holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $50,302,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group upgraded 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, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.80.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $69.57. The stock had a trading volume of 6,662,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,223,437. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $61.24 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $72.43 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $70.30. The company has a market capitalization of $215.75 billion, a PE ratio of 30.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (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%. As a group, equities 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 issued a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 91.15%.

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.