May Hill Capital LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 4,525 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $296,000.
Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
A number of equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $89.75.
View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AZN
AstraZeneca Stock Performance
Shares of NASDAQ AZN traded down $5.46 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $68.46. 9,210,887 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,143,446. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $73.96 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $212.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. Analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is 91.15%.
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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