AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Purchased by Keybank National Association OH

Keybank National Association OH boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 48,315 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 1,107 shares during the period. Keybank National Association OH’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,166,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Swedbank AB grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.3% in the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company’s stock valued at $210,806,000 after buying an additional 35,000 shares during the period. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 39.6% in the third quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 12,685 shares of the company’s stock worth $988,000 after acquiring an additional 3,597 shares during the period. D.B. Root & Company LLC increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 4.0% during the third quarter. D.B. Root & Company LLC now owns 8,919 shares of the company’s stock worth $695,000 after acquiring an additional 345 shares during the last quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS raised its position in AstraZeneca by 0.3% in the third quarter. Kornitzer Capital Management Inc. KS now owns 360,312 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,072,000 after purchasing an additional 1,031 shares during the period. Finally, Consolidated Planning Corp lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,059.6% in the 3rd quarter. Consolidated Planning Corp now owns 60,188 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,689,000 after purchasing an additional 57,401 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $77.47 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $240.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 34.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. 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 business has a 50-day moving average of $70.61 and a 200 day moving average of $72.88. 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 the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is 91.15%.

About AstraZeneca

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.