Callan Capital LLC Sells 1,750 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Callan Capital LLC lessened its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 25.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 5,081 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,750 shares during the quarter. Callan Capital LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $344,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Able Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 468.4% during the 4th quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 449 shares of the company’s stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.4 %

Shares of AZN traded up $1.08 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $77.75. The company had a trading volume of 2,978,530 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,443,044. The firm has a market cap of $241.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.45. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $78.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $70.98. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $60.47 and a 52-week high of $80.86.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 25th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $12.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.92 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.42% and a net margin of 13.30%. On average, research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.04 EPS for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 16th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They set a “buy” rating and a $97.00 price objective for the company. Argus boosted their price objective on AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, Barclays raised AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $88.00.

About AstraZeneca

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.