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

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $95.75.

Several brokerages recently commented on AZN. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Citigroup assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cibc World Market Inc. lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 21.5% during the third quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 64,421 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,942,000 after purchasing an additional 11,398 shares during the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 20.0% during the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 1,089,612 shares of the company’s stock worth $83,595,000 after purchasing an additional 181,273 shares during the period. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 111.6% in the 3rd quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 66,643 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,113,000 after buying an additional 35,148 shares during the last quarter. AMG National Trust Bank boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 20.4% in the 3rd quarter. AMG National Trust Bank now owns 42,983 shares of the company’s stock valued at $3,298,000 after buying an additional 7,289 shares during the period. Finally, Oxbow Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 96.2% during the 3rd quarter. Oxbow Advisors LLC now owns 77,594 shares of the company’s stock valued at $5,953,000 after buying an additional 38,043 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AstraZeneca stock opened at $208.72 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $323.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 69.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. AstraZeneca has a one year low of $122.48 and a one year high of $212.71. The business has a fifty day moving average of $135.91 and a two-hundred day moving average of $102.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.88.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $1.595 dividend. This represents a yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 74.83%.

About AstraZeneca

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.