Aurora Investment Counsel Grows Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Aurora Investment Counsel boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 8.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 36,636 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,851 shares during the period. AstraZeneca comprises about 1.3% of Aurora Investment Counsel’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 20th biggest position. Aurora Investment Counsel’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,400,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Groupama Asset Managment increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 22.9% in the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 101,225 shares in the last quarter. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Versant Capital Management Inc increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% during the 4th quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $76.51 on Friday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month 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 firm has a market capitalization of $237.27 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $71.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.54.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. On average, research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be given 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 payout ratio is presently 91.15%.

AstraZeneca Company 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.