AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Receives Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” from Analysts

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) has earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have given a buy recommendation and two have issued a strong buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $89.75.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 0.3 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $66.52 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $68.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $75.92. AstraZeneca has a twelve month low of $60.47 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $206.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.83, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.45. 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 (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported $1.04 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $13.57 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.08 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.01% and a net margin of 12.68%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 18.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.87 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that AstraZeneca will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 56.6% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 16,435 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,282,000 after purchasing an additional 5,939 shares during the last quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 14.0% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 8,645 shares of the company’s stock valued at $674,000 after acquiring an additional 1,060 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 11.2% during the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 4,642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $362,000 after acquiring an additional 468 shares in the last quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in AstraZeneca by 14.1% during the second quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 13,572 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,059,000 after acquiring an additional 1,672 shares during the last quarter. Finally, F M Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the second quarter valued at about $1,509,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About AstraZeneca

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.