Ieq Capital LLC Trims Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Ieq Capital LLC decreased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 3.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 39,040 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,339 shares during the period. Ieq Capital LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,558,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter valued at $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT grew its position in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Groupama Asset Managment increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 22.9% in the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 101,225 shares during the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter valued at about $45,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after acquiring an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.5 %

AZN stock opened at $74.20 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $230.11 billion, a PE ratio of 32.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $62.75 and a one year high of $87.68. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $68.76 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $73.22.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 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 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

AZN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. One investment 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. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

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.