GF Fund Management CO. LTD. Invests $8.03 Million in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

GF Fund Management CO. LTD. acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 122,586 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $8,032,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Banque Transatlantique SA bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 31.8% in the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company's stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth about $55,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth about $55,000. Finally, Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth about $55,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of AstraZeneca stock traded down $0.58 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $70.38. 3,819,959 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,175,844. The company has a market cap of $218.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.40. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $69.54 and its 200 day simple moving average is $69.57. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $61.24 and a 52 week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.14. The firm had revenue of $13.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.71 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. The business's quarterly revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.06 EPS. Equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have commented on AZN shares. BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price target on the stock. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $88.00.

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.