Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) in a research report released on Wednesday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm issued an overweight rating on the stock.
Other research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. One 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 company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.
Read Our Latest Analysis on AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca Price Performance
Shares of AstraZeneca stock traded down $0.87 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $73.58. The stock had a trading volume of 5,783,592 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,156,712. The stock's 50 day moving average is $68.07 and its 200 day moving average is $73.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $228.18 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca has a twelve month low of $61.77 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.55% and a net margin of 13.01%. Equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 43.36%.
Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca
Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 82.9% during the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 24,967 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,945,000 after acquiring an additional 11,315 shares in the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 26.0% during the 3rd quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,220 shares of the company's stock valued at $95,000 after acquiring an additional 252 shares in the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 8.0% during the 3rd quarter. Creative Planning now owns 224,751 shares of the company's stock valued at $17,510,000 after acquiring an additional 16,692 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company's stock valued at $210,806,000 after acquiring an additional 35,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 13.2% during the 3rd quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,759 shares of the company's stock valued at $291,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.
About AstraZeneca
(
Get 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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