AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Acquired by Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 29.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 114,965 shares of the company's stock after purchasing an additional 25,966 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $8,450,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter worth $27,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth $29,000. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 447.4% during the first quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 416 shares of the company's stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $69.68 on Thursday. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $70.50 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $61.24 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The company has a market cap of $216.10 billion, a PE ratio of 27.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.29 and a beta of 0.38.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 company had revenue of $13.59 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.71 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, BNP Paribas assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $85.00.

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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