First Foundation Advisors Decreases Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

First Foundation Advisors lessened its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 7.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 190,171 shares of the company's stock after selling 14,241 shares during the quarter. First Foundation Advisors' holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $12,460,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of 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 bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued 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 investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $89.75.

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AstraZeneca Trading Up 2.6 %

NASDAQ:AZN traded up $1.72 during midday trading on Monday, hitting $68.01. The stock had a trading volume of 5,939,783 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,249,753. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $73.35 and a 200 day moving average of $70.83. The company has a market capitalization of $210.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.09, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $61.24 and a one year high of $87.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $1.03 dividend. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 91.15%.

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.