Advisor OS LLC Makes New Investment in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Advisor OS LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor purchased 2,962 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $227,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Brighton Jones LLC raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 93.2% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 5,782 shares of the company’s stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 2,789 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 45.3% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 37,501 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,756,000 after buying an additional 11,690 shares in the last quarter. World Investment Advisors raised its position in AstraZeneca by 36.0% in the 2nd quarter. World Investment Advisors now owns 10,752 shares of the company’s stock valued at $751,000 after buying an additional 2,844 shares during the last quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 20.2% in the 2nd quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 11,195 shares of the company’s stock valued at $782,000 after acquiring an additional 1,884 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keybank National Association OH boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 54,913 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,837,000 after acquiring an additional 804 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AZN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Citigroup started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. HSBC reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 target price on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of NASDAQ AZN opened at $208.72 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $135.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $102.20. The company has a market cap of $323.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 69.34, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $122.48 and a 12 month high of $212.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $1.595 per share. This represents a yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 74.83%.

AstraZeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.