Pictet North America Advisors SA boosted its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 214.1% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 95,562 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 65,137 shares during the period. Pictet North America Advisors SA's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $6,261,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 320.8% in the third quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the period. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its holdings in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 38.4% during the 3rd quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company's stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several research analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. Finally, UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.
Get Our Latest Report on AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca Stock Up 1.7 %
AZN traded up $1.22 on Tuesday, reaching $74.80. The company's stock had a trading volume of 6,064,018 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,346,788. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $62.75 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market cap of $231.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The business's 50 day moving average is $68.32 and its 200 day moving average is $73.29.
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 analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.55%. As a group, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $1.03 dividend. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is currently 43.36%.
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.
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