AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Stock Position Raised by Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC

Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC lifted its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 122.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,335 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 1,285 shares during the quarter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $153,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Albion Financial Group UT increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the period. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares during the period. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ AZN opened at $74.93 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $232.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.16, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company’s fifty day moving average is $72.83 and its two-hundred day moving average is $72.00. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $62.75 and a 52-week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly 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 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. Equities research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca 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.