Cerity Partners LLC Raises Stock Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Cerity Partners LLC raised its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 4.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 207,860 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 8,435 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $14,871,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AstraZeneca stock traded up $1.90 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $68.19. 4,440,686 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,244,550. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $73.35 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $70.83. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The firm has a market cap of $211.47 billion, a PE ratio of 30.17, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93.

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. 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. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 91.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Company 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.