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

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) have been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the nine ratings firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $95.75.

Several research firms recently weighed in on AZN. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. HSBC reissued a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth $25,000. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 149.3% in the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 218 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 59.8% in the 2nd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, JPL Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth about $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $91.56 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $87.15 and a two-hundred day moving average of $79.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $283.97 billion, a PE ratio of 30.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.69. AstraZeneca has a 12 month low of $61.24 and a 12 month high of $94.01.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 6th. The company reported $1.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.14 by $0.05. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.89% and a net margin of 16.17%.The business had revenue of $15.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $14.75 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.08 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 12.0% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

About AstraZeneca

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.