Traders Buy High Volume of Call Options on AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN)

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) was the recipient of some unusual options trading on Thursday. Stock traders acquired 153,234 call options on the company. This is an increase of 1,149% compared to the average daily volume of 12,270 call options.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. 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 raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $89.75.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT grew its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 248 shares during the period. Groupama Asset Managment increased its position in AstraZeneca by 22.9% during the third quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 101,225 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 31.8% in the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.0 %

AstraZeneca stock traded up $0.75 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $74.56. 3,335,561 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,280,598. The stock has a market capitalization of $231.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.45 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. Equities research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca will post 4.51 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. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.