AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Bought by New Century Financial Group LLC

New Century Financial Group LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 104.3% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 9,400 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 4,800 shares during the period. New Century Financial Group LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $732,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $29,000. RFP Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 56.3% during the 1st quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 40.6% in the first quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 506 shares of the company’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Finally, Hobbs Group Advisors LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the second quarter valued at $35,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 0.3 %

AZN opened at $78.26 on Friday. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $81.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $78.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market cap of $242.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.81, a P/E/G ratio of 1.45 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.99 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $12.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.62 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.34% and a net margin of 13.11%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.08 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.07 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.49 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 47.34%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AZN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 11th. TD Cowen lifted their target price on AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Barclays upgraded AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Citigroup raised AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Friday, September 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price 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.