Clearbridge Investments LLC Sells 119,082 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Clearbridge Investments LLC decreased its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 3.3% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,464,189 shares of the company’s stock after selling 119,082 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $226,974,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of AZN. Albion Financial Group UT increased its holdings in 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 purchasing an additional 248 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.3 %

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $73.79 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $228.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.65, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week 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 firm has a 50 day moving average of $73.55 and a 200 day moving average of $71.61.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has an average 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.