AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Receives Average Recommendation of "Buy" from Analysts

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of "Buy" from the eight brokerages that are presently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $85.00.

Separately, BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target for the company.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter valued at $29,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.3%

AZN opened at $70.76 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $70.26 and a 200-day moving average of $70.38. The company has a market capitalization of $219.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.42, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.38. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of $61.24 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a current ratio of 0.90.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.14. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 14.14% and a return on equity of 33.14%. The business had revenue of $13.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.71 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.06 EPS. The business's revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect 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.

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