Sterling Capital Management LLC Increases Stock Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Sterling Capital Management LLC increased its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 54.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,464 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 5,835 shares during the period. Sterling Capital Management LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,079,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Albion Financial Group UT increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company's stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its stake 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 in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth about $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. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ:AZN traded up $0.49 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $67.54. 3,796,013 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,234,555. The stock has a market capitalization of $209.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.89, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. The company has a fifty day moving average of $72.90 and a 200 day moving average of $70.57. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $61.24 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given 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 (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating for the company. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $86.80.

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.