Becker Capital Management Inc. Lowers Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Becker Capital Management Inc. reduced its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.2% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 365,300 shares of the company’s stock after selling 8,047 shares during the period. Becker Capital Management Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $28,026,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 149.3% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth approximately $31,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 144.0% during the third quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the second quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 376.0% during the second quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 2.3%

AstraZeneca stock opened at $208.72 on Monday. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $122.48 and a one year high of $212.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $135.91 and a 200 day moving average of $102.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.88. The stock has a market cap of $323.71 billion, a PE ratio of 69.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Friday, February 6th. Citigroup initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 17th. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Finally, Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.75.

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.