May Hill Capital LLC Makes New Investment in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

May Hill Capital LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 4,525 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $296,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in AZN. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 1.2 %

NASDAQ AZN opened at $72.60 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $73.78 and a 200-day moving average price of $71.53. The company has a market cap of $225.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 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%. As a group, equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.15%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AZN has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One 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 company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus 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.