AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Acquired by SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC

SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 5.9% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 16,934 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 947 shares during the period. SeaCrest Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,158,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the second quarter worth about $25,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 4,875.0% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of NASDAQ AZN traded down $0.51 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $67.75. 3,617,002 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,335,116. The company has a market capitalization of $210.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.55, a P/E/G ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $60.47 and a 52-week high of $76.56. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $65.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $65.80.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $12.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 30.19%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.69 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a dividend of $0.965 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 2.3%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.47. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 22nd. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 100.52%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZN has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group downgraded AstraZeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Monday, December 18th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $80.00.

AstraZeneca Company 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.