WealthPlan Investment Management LLC Has $5.79 Million Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

WealthPlan Investment Management LLC raised its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 4.8% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 88,424 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,026 shares during the period. WealthPlan Investment Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $5,794,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Creative Planning grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 8.0% in the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 224,751 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,510,000 after acquiring an additional 16,692 shares in the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.3% during the 3rd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company’s stock valued at $210,806,000 after purchasing an additional 35,000 shares during the last quarter. Asset Dedication LLC raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 14.7% during the 3rd quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 2,923 shares of the company’s stock worth $228,000 after purchasing an additional 374 shares during the period. Good Life Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth about $239,000. Finally, Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 3.7% during the third quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 15,945 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,242,000 after buying an additional 575 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $73.58 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $228.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.56, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The business has a 50 day moving average of $68.07 and a 200 day moving average of $73.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.71. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.77 and a 1-year high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.55% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is 43.36%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AZN. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Company 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.