AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Given Average Rating of "Buy" by Analysts

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Buy" from the ten research firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $88.00.

A number of brokerages recently commented on AZN. BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Lindbrook Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.9% during the first quarter. Lindbrook Capital LLC now owns 7,574 shares of the company's stock valued at $557,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 12,901 shares of the company's stock valued at $845,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Principal Securities Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 0.5% during the first quarter. Principal Securities Inc. now owns 28,053 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,062,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares in the last quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.4% during the first quarter. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC now owns 4,478 shares of the company's stock valued at $329,000 after acquiring an additional 147 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 31.8% during the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company's stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.6%

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN traded up $0.40 during trading on Monday, reaching $70.78. 2,267,853 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,168,370. The firm has a market capitalization of $219.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.40. AstraZeneca has a 52-week low of $61.24 and a 52-week high of $87.68. 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 business's fifty day moving average is $69.45 and its 200-day moving average is $69.58.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.14. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. The company had revenue of $13.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.71 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that AstraZeneca will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

About AstraZeneca

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.