Foundation Wealth Management LLC PA Takes Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Foundation Wealth Management LLC PA bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 38,376 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,514,000. AstraZeneca comprises approximately 1.2% of Foundation Wealth Management LLC PA’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. raised its position in AstraZeneca by 39.3% in the 3rd quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 17,810 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,388,000 after purchasing an additional 5,022 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.7% during the third quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 28,601 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,228,000 after buying an additional 1,272 shares during the last quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 72.7% during the third quarter. Centaurus Financial Inc. now owns 4,037 shares of the company’s stock valued at $315,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 58.1% in the third quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 55,490 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,323,000 after buying an additional 20,398 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 7.3% during the 3rd quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 6,506 shares of the company’s stock worth $507,000 after acquiring an additional 444 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have weighed in on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. 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’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AZN opened at $72.72 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $73.29 and its 200-day simple moving average is $71.78. The company has a market capitalization of $225.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.18, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $62.75 and a 12-month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued 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 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. 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.