7,640 Shares in Astrazeneca Plc $AZN Acquired by New England Research & Management Inc.

Key Points

• New England Research & Management acquired 7,640 AstraZeneca shares worth approximately $1.23 million during the third quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 20.35% of the company, with several other funds also increasing their positions.
• AstraZeneca shares recently traded at $165.23, below their 52-week high of $212.71. The company’s latest quarterly results beat EPS expectations, while revenue increased 6.4% year over year.
• Analysts remain broadly positive, with a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $206.67. AstraZeneca is also expanding its pipeline through a potential $1.5 billion AI drug-discovery partnership with insitro.

New England Research & Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 7,640 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,234,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of AZN. Vontobel Holding Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the third quarter worth $71,603,000. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. boosted its stake in Astrazeneca by 1.5% during the third quarter. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. now owns 139,632 shares of the company's stock valued at $22,188,000 after buying an additional 2,081 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA boosted its stake in Astrazeneca by 87.6% during the third quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA now owns 350,235 shares of the company's stock valued at $57,135,000 after buying an additional 163,549 shares during the period. James T. Borello RIA grew its position in Astrazeneca by 32.7% during the third quarter. James T. Borello RIA now owns 807 shares of the company's stock worth $130,000 after buying an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in Astrazeneca by 1.5% during the third 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 in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

Astrazeneca Price Performance

NYSE:AZN traded down $1.45 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $165.23. The company had a trading volume of 3,457,680 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,787,129. Astrazeneca Plc has a 52-week low of $153.41 and a 52-week high of $212.71. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $162.16 and its 200-day moving average price is $176.23. The company has a market capitalization of $256.26 billion, a PE ratio of 24.70, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.27. 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 (NYSE:AZN - Get Free Report) last released 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 business had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.17 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts expect that Astrazeneca Plc will post 9.38 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AZN shares. Nordea Equity Research upgraded Astrazeneca from a "sell" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded Astrazeneca from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday, October 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Tuesday, June 30th. CICC Research initiated coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Sunday, August 23rd. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $198.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, HSBC cut shares of Astrazeneca from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Fifteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $206.67.

Key Headlines Impacting Astrazeneca

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.

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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