iA Global Asset Management Inc. Acquires 6,914 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

iA Global Asset Management Inc. boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 4.9% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 148,153 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 6,914 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $9,707,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Swedbank AB lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 1.3% in 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 in the last quarter. Claro Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth $233,000. Pathstone Holdings LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.5% during the third quarter. Pathstone Holdings LLC now owns 347,234 shares of the company's stock worth $27,053,000 after acquiring an additional 11,703 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the third quarter valued at $415,000. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 238,228 shares of the company's stock valued at $18,560,000 after acquiring an additional 4,580 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating for the company. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One investment 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. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.

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AstraZeneca Trading Down 1.1 %

NASDAQ AZN traded down $0.84 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $74.09. 3,740,890 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,936,572. The stock has a market cap of $229.77 billion, a PE ratio of 32.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $73.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $71.84. 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 released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share 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%. Analysts forecast 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 will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a 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 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.