Compound Planning Inc. Has $2.64 Million Position in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Key Points

• Compound Planning Inc. raised its stake in AstraZeneca PLC by
• 92.3% in the first quarter, owning 35,973 shares valued at $2,644,000.
• Berenberg Bank set a target price of $97.00 for AstraZeneca, with analysts giving a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."

Compound Planning Inc. raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 92.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 35,973 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 17,266 shares during the quarter. Compound Planning Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,644,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 target price on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.1%

NASDAQ AZN traded down $0.12 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $79.93. The stock had a trading volume of 4,853,413 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,249,791. The company has a market capitalization of $247.89 billion, a PE ratio of 30.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.47 and a beta of 0.36. The company's 50-day moving average price is $73.23 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.86. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $61.24 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

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

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.505 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 200.0%. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 37.97%.

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.