Channing Global Advisors LLC increased its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 74.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 10,231 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 4,367 shares during the quarter. Channing Global Advisors LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $670,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.
Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 320.8% during the 3rd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company's stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT increased 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 purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 22.9% during the third quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 101,225 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
AstraZeneca Stock Up 2.3 %
NASDAQ AZN traded up $1.70 on Wednesday, reaching $74.43. The company had a trading volume of 5,709,242 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,276,929. The firm has a market capitalization of $230.81 billion, a PE ratio of 32.93, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $67.67 and a 200-day moving average of $73.48. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $60.76 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.
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 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%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid 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 is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is 43.36%.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $89.75.
Check Out Our Latest Report on AstraZeneca
About AstraZeneca
(
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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