Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. Acquires New Shares in Astrazeneca Plc $AZN

Beacon Investment Advisory Services Inc. acquired a new position in Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund acquired 4,043 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $767,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Astrazeneca during the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Reflection Asset Management bought a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV bought a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the first quarter valued at approximately $35,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Astrazeneca

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Tozorakimab strengthens COPD growth outlook. Full phase III data presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress showed AstraZeneca’s experimental drug reduced COPD flare-ups across a broad range of patients. Citi said the results support a peak-sales opportunity of at least $7 billion—roughly twice consensus estimates—while AstraZeneca has previously outlined a forecast above $5 billion. AstraZeneca COPD data back Citi’s $7b peak sales case
• Positive Sentiment: Additional late-stage COPD evidence supports blockbuster potential. Two successful late-stage trials and benefits across patient subgroups improve the prospects for regulatory approval and commercial adoption of tozorakimab, potentially adding a significant growth driver to AstraZeneca’s respiratory portfolio. AstraZeneca’s COPD drug scores two late-stage trial wins as full data boosts blockbuster hopes
• Positive Sentiment: Imfinzi combination succeeds in small-cell lung cancer. AstraZeneca said Imfinzi combined with Amgen’s Imdelltra significantly improved overall survival in first-line extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer, expanding the potential value of its oncology franchise. AstraZeneca’s cancer drug combo hits main survival goal in late-stage trial
• Neutral Sentiment: Trading remains weak despite the positive pipeline news. Market coverage reported that AZN underperformed the market on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The reports described the stock’s performance but did not identify a specific new company-related negative catalyst, suggesting investors may be digesting the news, taking profits, or responding to broader market conditions. AstraZeneca slips Wednesday, underperforms market

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Barclays reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Monday, June 1st. CICC Research initiated coverage on Astrazeneca in a research report on Sunday, August 23rd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $198.00 target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Astrazeneca in a report on Tuesday. They issued an “outperform” rating on the stock. Finally, HSBC lowered Astrazeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $206.67.

Astrazeneca Stock Down 2.0%

NYSE:AZN opened at $156.89 on Thursday. Astrazeneca Plc has a fifty-two week low of $145.79 and a fifty-two week high of $212.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $243.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.89. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $167.51 and its 200-day simple moving average is $183.14.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.44 billion. Astrazeneca had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.17 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Astrazeneca Plc will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Astrazeneca

AstraZeneca plc is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its principal therapeutic areas include oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, respiratory and immunology conditions, and rare diseases.

The company’s portfolio includes medicines such as Tagrisso, Imfinzi and Lynparza for cancer; Farxiga for cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions; Fasenra for severe asthma; and Symbicort for respiratory disease.