Bridgewater Associates LP Raises Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Bridgewater Associates LP increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 228.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 673,461 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 468,353 shares during the quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $44,125,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Albion Financial Group UT raised its position in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ AZN traded up $0.49 during trading on Friday, hitting $67.54. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,796,013 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,234,555. The company has a market cap of $209.47 billion, a PE ratio of 29.89, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a fifty-two week low of $61.24 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. 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 business's 50 day simple moving average is $72.90 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.57.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share 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, equities analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on AZN shares. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $86.80.

About AstraZeneca

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.