Davis R M Inc. purchased a new position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 4,093 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $268,000.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment lifted its position 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 buying an additional 101,225 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the third quarter worth approximately $45,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted 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 buying an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
AstraZeneca Stock Down 2.3 %
Shares of AZN opened at $74.24 on Wednesday. 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 firm has a market cap of $230.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company's 50-day moving average price is $71.22 and its 200 day moving average price is $72.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $62.75 and a 12-month high of $87.68.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
AZN has been the topic of several analyst reports. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. One equities research 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, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.
Read Our Latest Report on AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca 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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