Short Interest in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Decreases By 68.4%

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) was the recipient of a significant decrease in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 3,881,346 shares, a decrease of 68.4% from the January 15th total of 12,267,466 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 11,685,989 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Based on an average trading volume of 11,685,989 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.3 days. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Primecap Management Co. CA boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.3% in the second quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 41,200,091 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,879,062,000 after acquiring an additional 538,606 shares during the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 32,633,139 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,503,614,000 after purchasing an additional 1,461,786 shares in the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 21,601,433 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,791,051,000 after purchasing an additional 438,709 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 0.9% during the second quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 21,298,394 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,488,332,000 after buying an additional 196,401 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jennison Associates LLC grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.2% during the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,167,365 shares of the company’s stock worth $850,255,000 after buying an additional 1,605,133 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AZN opened at $205.23 on Friday. 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 firm has a fifty day moving average of $110.42 and a 200 day moving average of $91.89. The firm has a market cap of $318.30 billion, a PE ratio of 68.18, a PEG 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 $205.86.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $1.595 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 165.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 34.77%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on AZN. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, HSBC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 target price on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Company 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.