Cozad Asset Management Inc. Has $1.39 Million Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Key Points

• Cozad Asset Management Inc. has sold 15,540 shares of AstraZeneca PLC, reducing its position by 45.2% to 18,864 shares, valued at approximately $1.387 million.
• Institutional investors now own 20.35% of AstraZeneca's stock, with various firms adjusting their holdings in recent quarters.
• AstraZeneca reported a revenue of $14.46 billion for the latest quarter, exceeding expectations, while earnings per share matched the consensus estimate at $1.09.

Cozad Asset Management Inc. reduced its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 45.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 18,864 shares of the company's stock after selling 15,540 shares during the quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,387,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Capital International Investors grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 37,507,159 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,457,706,000 after purchasing an additional 686,008 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 189.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 24,026,966 shares of the company's stock worth $1,574,247,000 after acquiring an additional 15,722,197 shares during the last quarter. Sanders Capital LLC boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Sanders Capital LLC now owns 15,186,692 shares of the company's stock worth $995,032,000 after acquiring an additional 212,301 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 13.6% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,322,388 shares of the company's stock worth $348,730,000 after acquiring an additional 636,537 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in AstraZeneca by 25.5% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 4,692,678 shares of the company's stock worth $307,464,000 after acquiring an additional 952,010 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on AZN shares. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. BNP Paribas started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.00.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AZN traded up $0.86 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $73.95. 9,725,162 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,423,707. The company has a market cap of $229.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.80, a P/E/G ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.37. AstraZeneca PLC has a fifty-two week low of $61.24 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. The firm's fifty day moving average is $71.48 and its 200 day moving average is $71.31.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its 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 the consensus estimate of $14.08 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.84% and a net margin of 14.68%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.24 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal 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 given a dividend of $0.505 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 200.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 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.