Sit Investment Associates Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 30.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 166,850 shares of the company's stock after selling 73,050 shares during the quarter. Sit Investment Associates Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $10,932,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.
Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Albion Financial Group UT increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 22.9% during the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 101,225 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its position 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 purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $55,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.
Wall Street Analyst Weigh In
AZN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.
Check Out Our Latest Report on AZN
AstraZeneca Stock Down 3.4 %
Shares of AstraZeneca stock traded down $2.25 on Thursday, reaching $64.51. 5,462,546 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,256,818. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $73.50 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.04. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $87.68. The company has a market cap of $200.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 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%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is presently 91.15%.
AstraZeneca Company 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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