Golden State Wealth Management LLC Purchases New Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 835 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $55,000.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 82.9% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 24,967 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,945,000 after purchasing an additional 11,315 shares in the last quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC raised its position in AstraZeneca by 43.6% in the 3rd quarter. Gilman Hill Asset Management LLC now owns 3,703 shares of the company’s stock worth $289,000 after purchasing an additional 1,125 shares during the last quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 90.1% during the 3rd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 3,586 shares of the company’s stock worth $279,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 12.3% in the 3rd quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 29,853 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,326,000 after buying an additional 3,270 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Stablepoint Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Stablepoint Partners LLC now owns 21,932 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,709,000 after buying an additional 174 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on AZN. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $72.66 on Tuesday. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $67.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $73.56. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $225.33 billion, a PE ratio of 32.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. Equities research analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.36%.

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.