BNP Paribas Financial Markets Cuts Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

BNP Paribas Financial Markets lessened its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 9.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 466,716 shares of the company's stock after selling 49,269 shares during the quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets' holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $30,579,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Cibc World Markets Corp boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.1% during the 4th 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 during the last quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,402 shares of the company's stock worth $295,000 after buying an additional 153 shares during the last quarter. Veery Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 3,503 shares of the company's stock worth $230,000 after acquiring an additional 157 shares during the period. Tiller Private Wealth Inc. increased its position in AstraZeneca by 5.7% during the fourth quarter. Tiller Private Wealth Inc. now owns 3,350 shares of the company's stock valued at $219,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Dorsey & Whitney Trust CO LLC now owns 35,300 shares of the company's stock worth $2,313,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AZN traded down $1.39 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $66.33. The stock had a trading volume of 2,748,508 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,149,221. The business has a fifty day moving average of $70.96 and a 200 day moving average of $69.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. The firm has a market cap of $205.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.35, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.40. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $61.24 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. The company had revenue of $13.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.06 EPS. AstraZeneca's quarterly revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. Finally, BNP Paribas began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus target price of $88.00.

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.