Clearstead Trust LLC lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 763.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 4,411 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 3,900 shares during the quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $289,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $158,018,000. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 109.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,071,333 shares of the company's stock valued at $238,397,000 after acquiring an additional 1,605,758 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 19,122,675 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,492,649,000 after acquiring an additional 1,522,715 shares during the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 15,819.8% in the 4th quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC now owns 1,179,018 shares of the company's stock valued at $77,249,000 after acquiring an additional 1,171,612 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Erste Asset Management GmbH acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $72,437,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company's stock.
AstraZeneca Price Performance
Shares of NASDAQ AZN traded down $0.75 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $76.32. The company had a trading volume of 4,050,571 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,935,266. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock has a market cap of $236.68 billion, a PE ratio of 33.77, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $72.28 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $72.13. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $62.75 and a 1-year high of $87.68.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently announced 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 is an increase 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 91.15%.
Analysts Set New Price Targets
A number of analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $89.75.
Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on AZN
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.
See Also
Before you consider AstraZeneca, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and AstraZeneca wasn't on the list.
While AstraZeneca currently has a Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.
View The Five Stocks Here
MarketBeat has just released its list of 20 stocks that Wall Street analysts hate. These companies may appear to have good fundamentals, but top analysts smell something seriously rotten. Are any of these companies lurking around your portfolio?
Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Link copied to clipboard.
