Blue Trust Inc. Has $1.30 Million Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Blue Trust Inc. lowered its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 1.3% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,767 shares of the company’s stock after selling 259 shares during the quarter. Blue Trust Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,295,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of AZN. Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $66,000. Pictet North America Advisors SA lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 214.1% in the fourth quarter. Pictet North America Advisors SA now owns 95,562 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,261,000 after buying an additional 65,137 shares during the last quarter. Avestar Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 19.0% during the 4th quarter. Avestar Capital LLC now owns 15,427 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,011,000 after acquiring an additional 2,462 shares during the period. Naples Global Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Naples Global Advisors LLC now owns 54,779 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,589,000 after acquiring an additional 301 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 459,560 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,110,000 after acquiring an additional 14,768 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AZN has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. One equities 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 stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 1.2 %

AZN stock opened at $73.58 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $61.77 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $73.43. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The company has a market cap of $228.18 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (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 32.55%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 43.36%.

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.