AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Sold by GQG Partners LLC

GQG Partners LLC lowered its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 20.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 4,375,340 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,099,802 shares during the period. GQG Partners LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $286,672,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AZN. Modern Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth about $250,000. ICW Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $262,000. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE grew its position in AstraZeneca by 60.7% in the 4th quarter. Congress Wealth Management LLC DE now owns 15,038 shares of the company’s stock worth $985,000 after purchasing an additional 5,681 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 22.6% in the fourth quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 717,171 shares of the company’s stock valued at $46,989,000 after purchasing an additional 132,398 shares during the period. Finally, Banco de Sabadell S.A raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.9% during the fourth quarter. Banco de Sabadell S.A now owns 8,793 shares of the company’s stock valued at $575,000 after buying an additional 1,209 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $74.09 on Tuesday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The stock has a market cap of $229.77 billion, a PE ratio of 32.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $73.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $71.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were paid a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to 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.