William Blair Investment Management LLC Sells 26,070 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

William Blair Investment Management LLC cut its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 45.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 31,174 shares of the company's stock after selling 26,070 shares during the quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,043,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Albion Financial Group UT grew its position in 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 buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company's stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AstraZeneca stock traded down $0.84 during trading hours on Monday, hitting $74.09. 3,740,890 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,936,570. The stock has a market capitalization of $229.77 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The business's 50-day moving average is $72.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $71.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. Equities research analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is 91.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report 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, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price of $89.75.

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.