Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC Has $34.28 Million Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC lowered its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 6.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 523,164 shares of the company’s stock after selling 35,324 shares during the quarter. AstraZeneca comprises approximately 1.4% of Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $34,278,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital Performance Advisors LLP bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the third quarter worth about $45,000. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 38.4% in the 3rd quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during 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. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently commented on AZN shares. 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 report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of AZN opened at $74.20 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $230.11 billion, a PE ratio of 32.83, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.46. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $68.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $73.17. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted 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, analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 43.36%.

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.