XTX Topco Ltd Has $1.63 Million Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Key Points

• XTX Topco Ltd significantly reduced its stake in AstraZeneca PLC by 62.4%, selling 36,880 shares and retaining 22,221 shares, worth $1,633,000 as of the latest SEC filing.
• AstraZeneca's latest earnings report showed a revenue of $14.46 billion for the quarter, exceeding forecasts, with earnings per share matching expectations at $1.09.
• Analyst ratings for AstraZeneca indicate a consensus of "Moderate Buy" with a price target of $89.00, underpinned by upgrades from several analysts.

XTX Topco Ltd cut its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 62.4% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 22,221 shares of the company's stock after selling 36,880 shares during the quarter. XTX Topco Ltd's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $1,633,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth approximately $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 289 shares during the period. FNY Investment Advisers LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth approximately $29,000. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Finally, Highline Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 447.4% during the first quarter. Highline Wealth Partners LLC now owns 416 shares of the company's stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 340 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AstraZeneca stock traded up $0.86 on Friday, reaching $73.95. 9,725,399 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,003,182. The stock has a market cap of $229.34 billion, a PE ratio of 27.80, a PEG ratio of 1.36 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $71.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $71.41.

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 analysts' consensus estimates of $1.09. The business had revenue of $14.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.08 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 14.68% and a return on equity of 32.84%. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 16.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.24 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 EPS for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.505 per share. This represents a yield of 200.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 77.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently commented on AZN. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 target price on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 9th. BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 target price on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $89.00.

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.