Springhill Fund Asset Management HK Co Ltd Makes New Investment in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Springhill Fund Asset Management HK Co Ltd acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 76,500 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,012,000. AstraZeneca comprises about 8.1% of Springhill Fund Asset Management HK Co Ltd's holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment lifted 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 valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 101,225 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 valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

NASDAQ:AZN traded up $1.34 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $66.21. The company had a trading volume of 2,839,727 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,964,003. 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. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $73.40 and a two-hundred day moving average of $70.96. The firm has a market capitalization of $205.33 billion, a PE ratio of 29.30, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (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 forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AZN has been the subject of several research analyst reports. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca 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.