AstraZeneca PLC $AZN Stock Holdings Lifted by Swedbank AB

Key Points

• Swedbank AB raised its stake in AstraZeneca PLC by 19.2%, acquiring a total of 3,375,775 shares valued at approximately $248 million.
• AstraZeneca reported a quarterly revenue of $14.46 billion, outpacing analysts' expectations of $14.08 billion, while EPS remained stable at $1.09.
• The company declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.505 per share, reflecting a dividend payout ratio of 37.97%.

Swedbank AB raised its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 19.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 3,375,775 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 544,418 shares during the quarter. Swedbank AB owned approximately 0.11% of AstraZeneca worth $248,119,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Voya Investment Management LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 25.2% in the first quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 2,207,105 shares of the company's stock valued at $162,222,000 after purchasing an additional 443,795 shares in the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 6.9% in the first quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 24,086 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,770,000 after purchasing an additional 1,557 shares in the last quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 6.1% in the first quarter. Modern Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,785 shares of the company's stock valued at $278,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at about $26,828,000. Finally, Foresight Group Ltd Liability Partnership purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at about $16,010,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

NASDAQ AZN opened at $81.10 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $75.75 and a 200 day simple moving average of $72.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.86. The stock has a market capitalization of $251.52 billion, a PE ratio of 30.49, a P/E/G ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.37. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $82.41.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.09. The firm had revenue of $14.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.08 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.84% and a net margin of 14.68%.The company's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 8th were issued a $0.505 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 8th. This represents a yield of 200.0%. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is 37.97%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $86.00.

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.

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