AstraZeneca PLC $AZN Shares Bought by Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC

Key Points

• Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC increased its position in AstraZeneca by 10.9%, adding 4,893 shares, bringing its total holdings to 49,954 shares valued at approximately $3.67 million.
• AstraZeneca's latest quarterly earnings showed a 16.1% increase in revenue year-over-year, reporting $14.46 billion and earnings per share of $1.09.
• The company set a dividend of $0.505 per share with a payout ratio of 37.97%, and the ex-dividend date is scheduled for August 8th.

Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 10.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 49,954 shares of the company's stock after buying an additional 4,893 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,672,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Tyler Stone Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter worth approximately $211,000. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 406.9% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,020,629 shares of the company's stock worth $148,517,000 after buying an additional 1,621,974 shares during the last quarter. Horizon Investments LLC grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 7.1% in the 1st quarter. Horizon Investments LLC now owns 17,452 shares of the company's stock worth $1,283,000 after buying an additional 1,150 shares during the last quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Fox Run Management L.L.C. now owns 24,890 shares of the company's stock worth $1,829,000 after buying an additional 2,276 shares during the last quarter. Finally, FCA Corp TX purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter worth approximately $551,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AZN stock traded down $1.31 during trading on Monday, reaching $79.66. The company had a trading volume of 3,376,205 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,320,253. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $73.05 and a 200-day simple moving average of $72.30. The company has a market cap of $247.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.36. 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 twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.09. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 14.68% and a return on equity of 32.84%. The business had revenue of $14.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.08 billion. During the same period 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 expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

AstraZeneca Company 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.