Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management Inc. Reduces Stake in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management Inc. lessened its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 752,814 shares of the company’s stock after selling 7,622 shares during the period. AstraZeneca accounts for approximately 2.7% of Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management Inc.’s portfolio, making the stock its 18th biggest position. Woodley Farra Manion Portfolio Management Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $57,756,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 149.3% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 376.0% in the second quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 144.0% during the third quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.8%

NASDAQ AZN traded down $1.60 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $207.02. 138,112 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,887,390. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $122.48 and a 12 month high of $212.71. The company has a 50 day moving average of $122.11 and a two-hundred day moving average of $96.53. The stock has a market capitalization of $321.08 billion, a PE ratio of 68.65, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $1.595 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 155.0%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on AZN shares. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Monday, October 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. HSBC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and issued a $103.00 target price on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.