Hilltop National Bank Invests $321,000 in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Key Points

• Hilltop National Bank has acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC with an investment of $321,000 for 4,598 shares, reflecting growing interest from institutional investors.
• AstraZeneca reported a 16.1% year-over-year increase in revenue during the last quarter, totaling $14.46 billion, with earnings per share meeting analysts' expectations at $1.09.
• The company recently declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.505, with a payout ratio of 37.97% and a current yield reported at 200.0%.

Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm purchased 4,598 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $321,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 297.9% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Highline Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 447.4% in 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. Finally, Maseco LLP acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the second quarter valued at about $34,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 2.0%

Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $85.31 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $264.58 billion, a PE ratio of 32.07, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.36. The business's 50 day simple moving average is $78.04 and its 200 day simple moving average is $73.10. 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 52-week low of $61.24 and a 52-week high of $85.50.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates 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 during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.24 EPS. The business's revenue was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on AZN shares. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price objective on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a "buy (b)" rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Saturday, September 27th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus 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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