Confluence Wealth Services Inc. Decreases Holdings in Astrazeneca Plc $AZN

Confluence Wealth Services Inc. decreased its position in shares of Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) by 32.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 7,982 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,766 shares during the period. Confluence Wealth Services Inc.’s holdings in Astrazeneca were worth $734,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. EPG Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Astrazeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $1,005,000. HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 5.0% during the fourth quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 49,922 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,589,000 after acquiring an additional 2,364 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 13.8% during the fourth quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 43,939 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,039,000 after acquiring an additional 5,344 shares during the last quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 180.8% during the fourth quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,024 shares of the company’s stock valued at $830,000 after acquiring an additional 5,810 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bedel Financial Consulting Inc. purchased a new stake in Astrazeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $221,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Wednesday, April 8th. Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Citigroup began coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Astrazeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, April 4th. Finally, Weiss Ratings began coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. They set a “buy (b)” rating on the stock. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $102.67.

Astrazeneca Trading Down 1.3%

NYSE:AZN opened at $192.35 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $298.31 billion, a PE ratio of 33.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.35. Astrazeneca Plc has a 1-year low of $132.32 and a 1-year high of $212.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.72 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51.

Astrazeneca Announces Dividend

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

About Astrazeneca

AstraZeneca plc is a global 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 positions itself as R&D-driven, investing in discovery science, clinical development and regulatory processes to bring new therapies to market.

The company’s commercial portfolio and late-stage pipeline emphasize oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CVRM) diseases, and respiratory and immunology.