AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Stock Position Cut by NTV Asset Management LLC

NTV Asset Management LLC lessened its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 16.6% in the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 33,430 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,659 shares during the quarter. NTV Asset Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,190,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. AlphaCentric Advisors LLC bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,076,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,192,000. Americana Partners LLC lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 50.4% in the 4th quarter. Americana Partners LLC now owns 42,722 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,799,000 after acquiring an additional 14,309 shares during the last quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $60,000. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 82.4% in the 4th quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,326 shares of the company’s stock valued at $283,000 after acquiring an additional 1,954 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AZN has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AZN stock opened at $73.58 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $61.77 and a one year high of $87.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $228.18 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $68.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $73.39.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.55%. On average, analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $1.03 dividend. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 43.36%.

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.