Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 136.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 119,575 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 69,005 shares during the period. Azimuth Capital Investment Management LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $7,835,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of AZN. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 138.0% during the third quarter. Kovitz Investment Group Partners LLC now owns 26,755 shares of the company's stock worth $2,084,000 after buying an additional 15,515 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 19.8% in the 3rd quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 20,436 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,592,000 after purchasing an additional 3,384 shares during the period. National Bank of Canada FI lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 53.9% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 158,329 shares of the company's stock valued at $12,335,000 after purchasing an additional 55,473 shares during the last quarter. MML Investors Services LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 3.2% during the third quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 255,605 shares of the company's stock worth $19,914,000 after purchasing an additional 7,933 shares during the period. Finally, Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd increased its position in AstraZeneca by 91.8% during the third quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 38,688 shares of the company's stock worth $3,014,000 after buying an additional 18,512 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
AZN has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.
Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on AZN
AstraZeneca Price Performance
Shares of NASDAQ AZN traded up $1.67 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $67.96. The company had a trading volume of 2,702,278 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,237,890. The firm has a market cap of $210.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.07, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The business's 50-day simple moving average is $73.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.83. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $61.24 and a one 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.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. On average, research 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 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.
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