AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Purchased by Causeway Capital Management LLC

Causeway Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 69.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 831,870 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 341,431 shares during the period. AstraZeneca comprises about 1.2% of Causeway Capital Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Causeway Capital Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $54,504,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Albion Financial Group UT grew its stake 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 in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $66.29 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $70.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market cap of $205.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $61.24 and a 12-month high of $87.68.

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 analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. On average, equities analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

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.