Dimensional Fund Advisors LP Has $348.73 Million Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 13.6% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 5,322,388 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 636,537 shares during the quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP owned approximately 0.17% of AstraZeneca worth $348,730,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AZN. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the fourth 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 last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,618.5% in the fourth quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 734 shares of the company's stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 707 shares in the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $55,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AZN traded up $0.02 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $69.57. 6,662,575 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,181,271. The stock's fifty day simple moving average is $72.33 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $215.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.78, 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. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results 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 return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. Sell-side analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is an increase from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is presently 91.15%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, BNP Paribas assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. One 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 company. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average target price 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.