Erste Asset Management GmbH Trims Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Erste Asset Management GmbH reduced its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.9% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 982,648 shares of the company’s stock after selling 29,313 shares during the quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $72,844,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Brighton Jones LLC boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 93.2% during the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 5,782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 2,789 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 45.3% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 37,501 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,756,000 after buying an additional 11,690 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 15.6% in the 2nd quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 113,315 shares of the company’s stock valued at $7,918,000 after buying an additional 15,294 shares during the period. Quaker Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 200.0% in the 2nd quarter. Quaker Wealth Management LLC now owns 812 shares of the company’s stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 1,624 shares in the last quarter. Finally, World Investment Advisors increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 36.0% during the second quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 10,752 shares of the company’s stock worth $751,000 after acquiring an additional 2,844 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $203.56 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $315.70 billion, a PE ratio of 67.63, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $122.48 and a 12-month high of $212.71. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $133.56 and its 200-day simple moving average is $101.08.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $1.595 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 74.83%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.75.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.