Bank of Montreal Can Sells 1,452,771 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Bank of Montreal Can decreased its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 65.0% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 782,321 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,452,771 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $54,669,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 59.8% during the second quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Maseco LLP bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $86.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $81.15 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $251.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.51, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.36. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $61.24 and a 12 month high of $86.57. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $81.24 and its 200 day moving average is $75.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

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.