SevenBridge Financial Group LLC Decreases Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

SevenBridge Financial Group LLC lessened its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 4.3% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,384 shares of the company’s stock after selling 195 shares during the period. SevenBridge Financial Group LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $319,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CreativeOne Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter valued at $211,000. Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 349.0% in the third quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 59,871 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,665,000 after buying an additional 46,537 shares during the last quarter. Centiva Capital LP acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth about $588,000. Hilltop Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth about $730,000. Finally, Janus Henderson Group PLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 5.4% during the third quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 1,669,554 shares of the company’s stock valued at $130,077,000 after acquiring an additional 85,502 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.5 %

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $72.22 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $73.86 and its 200-day moving average price is $71.54. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $62.75 and a 1-year high of $87.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $223.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.96, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. 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 raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target 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.