439,578 Shares in Astrazeneca Plc $AZN Acquired by Vontobel Holding Ltd.

Key Points

• Vontobel Holding acquired 439,578 AstraZeneca shares in the third quarter, valued at approximately $71.6 million. Institutional and hedge-fund investors own 20.35% of the company.
• AstraZeneca shares recently traded at $165.23, below their 12-month high of $212.71. The company reported quarterly EPS of $2.63, beating estimates, while revenue increased 6.4% year over year to $15.38 billion.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with 15 Buy ratings and four Holds producing a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $206.67. Investors are also watching the company’s AI drug-discovery partnership, upcoming earnings and AVANZAR lung-cancer trial.

Vontobel Holding Ltd. bought a new stake in Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 439,578 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $71,603,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AZN. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Astrazeneca by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 139,632 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,188,000 after purchasing an additional 2,081 shares during the last quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA boosted its position in shares of Astrazeneca by 87.6% in the 3rd quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 350,235 shares of the company's stock worth $57,135,000 after purchasing an additional 163,549 shares in the last quarter. James T. Borello RIA boosted its position in shares of Astrazeneca by 32.7% in the 3rd quarter. James T. Borello RIA now owns 807 shares of the company's stock worth $130,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in Astrazeneca by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 6,945 shares of the company's stock worth $1,121,000 after buying an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Aspiriant LLC grew its stake in Astrazeneca by 9.5% during the 3rd quarter. Aspiriant LLC now owns 1,333 shares of the company's stock worth $215,000 after buying an additional 116 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Astrazeneca Stock Performance

Shares of Astrazeneca stock traded down $1.45 on Friday, reaching $165.23. 3,457,680 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,787,129. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. Astrazeneca Plc has a twelve month low of $153.41 and a twelve month high of $212.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $256.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.70, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.27. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $162.16 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $176.23.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.13. Astrazeneca had a return on equity of 31.45% and a net margin of 17.02%. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.17 earnings per share. Astrazeneca's revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Astrazeneca Plc will post 9.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Astrazeneca News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AI partnership expands pipeline potential: AstraZeneca agreed to collaborate with insitro on machine-learning-based drug discovery for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cardiomyopathies. The deal could be worth up to $1.5 billion, including upfront and milestone payments plus royalties, giving AstraZeneca access to new potential therapies while spreading early-stage research risk. AstraZeneca Enters AI Drug Discovery Partnership
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive: RBC Capital Markets reiterated its “outperform” rating and 14,500-pence target, forecasting third-quarter revenue and core EPS modestly above consensus ahead of AstraZeneca’s October 30 results. Citi also raised its target to £186. RBC Keeps AstraZeneca at Outperform
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially attractive valuation: A market commentary highlighted that AZN has declined more than 8% this year even though operating performance has remained relatively resilient. The article points to a forward price-to-earnings multiple of about 14.6 times as a possible long-term buying opportunity. AstraZeneca Valuation Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: Options activity surged: Investors purchased 49,737 call options, more than 14 times typical volume. This may signal bullish positioning, but options activity alone does not establish a fundamental change in the company’s outlook.
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst signal: Zacks Research upgraded AstraZeneca from “strong sell” to “hold,” indicating reduced pessimism but not a bullish recommendation. AZN is also being monitored for breast-cancer sales growth, expanded approvals and clinical milestones.
• Negative Sentiment: Underperformance remains an overhang: AstraZeneca continues to lag the broader market, and investors may be waiting for upcoming earnings and the AVANZAR lung-cancer trial before assigning greater value to its pipeline.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts recently issued reports on AZN shares. Bank of America reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. CICC Research started coverage on Astrazeneca in a report on Sunday, August 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $198.00 price target for the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Astrazeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Astrazeneca presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $206.67.

Astrazeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca PLC is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Its research, development and commercial operations focus on prescription medicines for serious and chronic diseases, with an emphasis on discovering and delivering innovative therapies rather than operating as a diversified healthcare conglomerate.

The company's principal therapeutic areas include oncology; cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; respiratory and immunological conditions; and rare diseases.

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