Ritholtz Wealth Management Increases Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Ritholtz Wealth Management grew its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 6.2% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 39,047 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 2,274 shares during the quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,630,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the second quarter valued at about $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 4,875.0% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares during the period. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. HSBC began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, December 18th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut shares of AstraZeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $80.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of AZN traded down $0.51 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $67.75. The company had a trading volume of 3,617,002 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,335,116. The stock has a market capitalization of $210.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.49. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $65.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $65.80. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $60.47 and a 52-week high of $76.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.82.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $12.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.19% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.69 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Investors of record on Friday, February 23rd were given a $0.965 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.47. This represents a yield of 2.3%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 100.52%.

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.