AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Acquired by GeoWealth Management LLC

GeoWealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 35.5% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 20,838 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 5,459 shares during the period. GeoWealth Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,365,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its position 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 purchasing an additional 248 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.7 %

NASDAQ AZN opened at $67.54 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $61.24 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $72.90 and a two-hundred day moving average of $70.57. 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 market capitalization of $209.47 billion, a PE ratio of 29.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced 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%. As a group, 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 was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have issued reports 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. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $86.80.

About AstraZeneca

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.