Trexquant Investment LP Makes New Investment in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Key Points

• Trexquant Investment LP has acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC, purchasing 40,263 shares valued at approximately $2,959,000 in the first quarter.
• Several institutional investors have significantly increased their positions in AstraZeneca, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. expanding by 30.9% and Boston Partners by 35.9% during the same period.
• AstraZeneca recently reported a quarterly revenue of $14.46 billion, exceeding expectations and reflecting a 16.1% increase compared to the previous year.

Trexquant Investment LP bought a new stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm bought 40,263 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,959,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 58.4% during the 1st quarter. Dynamic Advisor Solutions LLC now owns 13,055 shares of the company's stock valued at $960,000 after purchasing an additional 4,811 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 13.1% in the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 6,083 shares of the company's stock valued at $442,000 after purchasing an additional 706 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 1.8% during the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 311,600 shares of the company's stock worth $22,903,000 after purchasing an additional 5,557 shares during the period. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at approximately $727,000. Finally, Bridgefront Capital LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $213,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.5%

NASDAQ AZN traded down $0.43 during trading on Monday, reaching $81.27. 1,292,975 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,150,503. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $74.90 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $72.73. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.67. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $61.24 and a 12-month high of $83.43. The firm has a market cap of $252.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.37.

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

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be issued 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 payout ratio is currently 37.97%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target 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 given a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.00.

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.