First Financial Bank Trust Division trimmed its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 13.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,528 shares of the company’s stock after selling 700 shares during the period. First Financial Bank Trust Division’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $225,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.
A number of other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth $28,000. HM Payson & Co. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth $30,000. Hoover Financial Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Tsfg LLC grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 67.4% in the fourth quarter. Tsfg LLC now owns 636 shares of the company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 256 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Concord Wealth Partners purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. 15.57% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $49.50 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $43.50 and a one year high of $64.94. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $49.34 and its 200 day moving average is $51.36. The stock has a market cap of $129.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a current ratio of 0.96.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 10th. The company reported $0.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.68 by ($0.14). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 37.23% and a net margin of 9.65%. The company had revenue of $7.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.98 billion. Analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 2 EPS for the current year.
The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 29th. Investors of record on Friday, February 26th were issued a $0.95 dividend. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.45. This represents a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, February 25th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 106.29%.
A number of analysts have recently commented on the stock. Societe Generale reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, March 23rd. Berenberg Bank reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, March 9th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 22nd. SVB Leerink dropped their price target on AstraZeneca from $64.00 to $63.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, March 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, March 18th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. The company has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $83.40.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca PLC discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, respiratory, infection, neuroscience, and gastroenterology worldwide. The company's marketed products include Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, Enhertu, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, Equidacent, Zoladex, Faslodex, Iressa, Arimidex, Casodex/Cosudex, and others for oncology diseases; Onglyza, Bydureon, Lokelma, Byetta, Qtern, Symlin, and others for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism diseases; and Symbicort, Pulmicort, Fasenra, Daliresp/Daxas, Duaklir, Tudorza/Eklira, Bevespi, Breztri, Anifrolumab, and others for respiratory and immunology diseases.
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