Becker Capital Management Inc. Decreases Position in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Becker Capital Management Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.2% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm 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 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

AstraZeneca Trading Up 2.3%

AZN opened at $208.72 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $122.48 and a 52 week high of $212.71. The stock has a market cap of $323.71 billion, a PE ratio of 69.34, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. The business has a 50 day moving average of $135.91 and a 200-day moving average of $102.37.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on AZN shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Citigroup began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued 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. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

AstraZeneca 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.