AstraZeneca PLC $AZN Position Boosted by Bank of Montreal Can

Bank of Montreal Can grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 344.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,478,114 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,695,793 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can owned approximately 0.11% of AstraZeneca worth $266,841,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter valued at $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in 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 buying an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $33,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. boosted its position 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 buying an additional 275 shares during the period. Finally, Abound Wealth Management boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 1,767.9% during the 3rd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 523 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 495 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $195.08 on Wednesday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $150.81 and a 200-day moving average of $108.23. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $122.48 and a 1 year high of $212.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $302.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.32.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.595 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 66.26%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AZN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. TD Cowen restated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Citigroup assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 17th. Finally, HSBC restated a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 10th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus 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.