Savant Capital LLC Has $3 Million Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Savant Capital LLC increased its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 45,825 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,125 shares during the quarter. Savant Capital LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,002,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 5.6% during the fourth quarter. Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB now owns 75,651 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,957,000 after purchasing an additional 4,004 shares during the period. Apollon Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Apollon Wealth Management LLC now owns 15,796 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,035,000 after purchasing an additional 347 shares in the last quarter. Quattro Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 330.0% in the 4th quarter. Quattro Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $282,000 after purchasing an additional 3,300 shares during the period. Finally, Generate Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $7,918,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have weighed in on AZN shares. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ AZN opened at $72.73 on Wednesday. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $67.58 and a 200-day moving average price of $73.52. The firm has a market cap of $225.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.18, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. 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 $60.47 and a 1 year high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.55% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $1.03 dividend. 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. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 91.15%.

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.