LGT Group Foundation Purchases New Shares in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

LGT Group Foundation acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,553 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $233,000.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in AZN. Swedbank AB increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.3% in the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company’s stock worth $210,806,000 after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the period. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 7.4% in the third quarter. Gladstone Institutional Advisory LLC now owns 2,893 shares of the company’s stock worth $225,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 286,851 shares of the company’s stock worth $22,349,000 after buying an additional 2,369 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 17.7% during the 3rd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 444,792 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,227,000 after buying an additional 67,002 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 6,387.3% in the 3rd quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 36,199 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,820,000 after buying an additional 35,641 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $77.25 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $70.16 and a 200 day moving average of $72.81. 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 company has a market capitalization of $239.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AZN. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

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.