Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd Invests $2.42 Million in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 32,855 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,415,000.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its position in AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at about $29,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock traded down $1.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $72.66. The stock had a trading volume of 6,200,753 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,846,153. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $87.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The firm has a market cap of $225.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.18, a PEG ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.37. The business's fifty day moving average is $71.15 and its 200-day moving average is $71.14.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its 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 33.14% and a net margin of 14.14%. The firm had revenue of $13.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.71 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.06 earnings per share. The company's revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price objective on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $89.00.

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.