Commerce Bank Buys 1,161 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Commerce Bank lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 6.0% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 20,574 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,161 shares during the quarter. Commerce Bank’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,348,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in 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 valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 1.0 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $66.90 on Tuesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market capitalization of $207.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $72.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $70.38. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates 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 predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $86.80.

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.