GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC Acquires 185 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 5,718 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 185 shares during the quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $446,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Able Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 468.4% in the 4th quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 449 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC raised its position in AstraZeneca by 56.3% in the first quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.5 %

AstraZeneca stock traded up $1.27 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $85.03. 1,852,979 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,359,942. The firm’s 50 day simple moving average is $79.21 and its 200 day simple moving average is $73.14. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $60.47 and a twelve month high of $85.16. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $263.64 billion, a PE ratio of 41.06, a PEG ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.45.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.34% and a net margin of 13.11%. The business had revenue of $12.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.08 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.05 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZN has been the subject of several recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $97.00 price objective for the company. Barclays upgraded shares of AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. Citigroup upgraded AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

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.