AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Sold by DE Burlo Group Inc.

DE Burlo Group Inc. trimmed its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,041 shares of the company’s stock after selling 636 shares during the period. DE Burlo Group Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $854,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes 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 acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.0 %

Shares of AZN opened at $69.57 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $72.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.25.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed 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 an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is currently 91.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZN has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $86.80.

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.