Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV Reduces Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV cut its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 15,340 shares of the company’s stock after selling 400 shares during the period. Investors Asset Management of Georgia Inc. GA ADV’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,005,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AZN. Citizens National Bank Trust Department lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 26,260 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,721,000 after acquiring an additional 595 shares during the last quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 33.4% in the fourth quarter. Concurrent Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,925 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,109,000 after purchasing an additional 4,240 shares during the period. Meitav Investment House Ltd. lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 616.2% during the fourth quarter. Meitav Investment House Ltd. now owns 238,270 shares of the company’s stock worth $15,611,000 after purchasing an additional 205,000 shares during the last quarter. Cumberland Partners Ltd boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.8% during the fourth quarter. Cumberland Partners Ltd now owns 4,611 shares of the company’s stock valued at $302,000 after purchasing an additional 213 shares during the period. Finally, New York State Common Retirement Fund grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 7.4% in the fourth quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 133,043 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,717,000 after purchasing an additional 9,124 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AZN. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.0 %

NASDAQ AZN opened at $74.56 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1 year low of $62.75 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. The company has a market capitalization of $231.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a fifty day moving average of $68.60 and a 200 day moving average of $73.30.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. Research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 91.15%.

AstraZeneca Profile

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.