Act Two Investors LLC Has $8.74 Million Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Act Two Investors LLC lowered its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 58.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 133,396 shares of the company's stock after selling 187,443 shares during the quarter. AstraZeneca accounts for about 1.7% of Act Two Investors LLC's holdings, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Act Two Investors LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $8,740,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AZN. Albion Financial Group UT boosted 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 worth $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 707 shares during the last quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. purchased a new position in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $55,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.6 %

AZN stock traded down $0.43 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $67.44. 1,760,340 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,223,303. The stock's fifty day moving average is $73.20 and its 200-day moving average is $70.75. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market cap of $209.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $61.24 and a 52-week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect 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 was paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a yield of 2%. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 91.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AZN has been the subject of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. BNP Paribas assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.80.

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.