Fox Run Management L.L.C. Makes New Investment in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 22,614 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,482,000.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. 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 valued at $210,806,000 after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 238,228 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,560,000 after buying an additional 4,580 shares during the last quarter. Commerce Bank grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 6.2% in the 3rd quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 19,413 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,512,000 after buying an additional 1,131 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 39.3% during the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,388,000 after acquiring an additional 5,022 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 27.6% in the third quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 5,458 shares of the company’s stock valued at $425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,180 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $74.93 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $62.75 and a one year high of $87.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $232.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.16, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $72.83 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.10. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93.

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 32.23%. On average, analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One investment 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, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target 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.