OneAscent Financial Services LLC Takes $232,000 Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

OneAscent Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,544 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $232,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Centiva Capital LP bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the third quarter worth approximately $588,000. IHT Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 16.9% during the 3rd quarter. IHT Wealth Management LLC now owns 16,310 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,273,000 after buying an additional 2,363 shares during the period. Quantinno Capital Management LP raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 17.1% in the 3rd quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 140,596 shares of the company’s stock worth $10,954,000 after acquiring an additional 20,503 shares during the period. Stifel Financial Corp lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 1,348,904 shares of the company’s stock worth $105,093,000 after acquiring an additional 83,486 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Soros Fund Management LLC boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 8.2% during the third quarter. Soros Fund Management LLC now owns 2,652,771 shares of the company’s stock valued at $206,677,000 after acquiring an additional 201,233 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $68.46 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $212.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.29, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $73.96 and a two-hundred day moving average of $71.48.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued 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 given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average 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.