Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC Increases Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Key Points

• Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC has increased its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC by 7.1%, owning a total of 123,529 shares valued at approximately $8.63 million.
• AstraZeneca reported earnings of $1.09 per share for the quarter, meeting analyst expectations, with revenues up 16.1% year-over-year at $14.46 billion.
• The company recently announced a semi-annual dividend of $0.505, yielding 200.0%, despite adjustments made to their dividend payout ratio.

Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 7.1% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 123,529 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 8,192 shares during the quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $8,636,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 297.9% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 289 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 59.8% in the second quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 398 shares of the company's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 149 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the first quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in shares of 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. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ AZN opened at $84.53 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.86 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $79.18 and a 200 day moving average price of $73.46. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $86.57. The company has a market cap of $262.16 billion, a PE ratio of 31.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.36.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate 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 period last year, the company earned $1.24 earnings per share. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

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

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Weiss Ratings reissued a "buy (b)" rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca 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.

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