Cerity Partners LLC Raises Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Cerity Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 4.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 207,860 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 8,435 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $14,871,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AZN. Albion Financial Group UT grew its holdings in shares of 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 buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 2.9 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $66.76 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $73.50 and a 200-day simple moving average of $71.04. The firm has a market capitalization of $207.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.54, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $61.24 and a one year high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 91.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. One investment 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus 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.