AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Sold by Samjo Management LLC

Samjo Management LLC lessened its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 0.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 54,655 shares of the company’s stock after selling 500 shares during the quarter. AstraZeneca makes up approximately 1.4% of Samjo Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Samjo Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,581,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 98.3% during the fourth quarter. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 8,474 shares of the company’s stock worth $555,000 after purchasing an additional 4,200 shares during the last quarter. World Investment Advisors raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 8,564 shares of the company’s stock worth $561,000 after purchasing an additional 297 shares during the period. Martin Investment Management LLC lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Martin Investment Management LLC now owns 308,489 shares of the company’s stock worth $20,575,000 after buying an additional 24,285 shares during the last quarter. OneAscent Financial Services LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $232,000. Finally, Cinctive Capital Management LP grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 88.4% during the 4th quarter. Cinctive Capital Management LP now owns 84,653 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,546,000 after buying an additional 39,718 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AZN opened at $68.46 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $62.75 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The stock has a market cap of $212.31 billion, a PE ratio of 30.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The business’s 50 day moving average is $73.96 and its 200-day moving average is $71.48. 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 (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share 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 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a dividend of $1.03 per share. 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%.

AstraZeneca 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.