China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. Has $4.41 Million Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 282.3% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 65,475 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 48,349 shares during the quarter. China Universal Asset Management Co. Ltd.'s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $4,410,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. First Affirmative Financial Network boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2.9% during the 3rd quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 5,495 shares of the company's stock worth $372,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.5% in the third quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,209 shares of the company's stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 32.9% during the third quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 671 shares of the company's stock worth $45,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.4% in the third quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 7,259 shares of the company's stock valued at $492,000 after purchasing an additional 169 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Drive Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,911 shares of the company's stock valued at $263,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on AZN. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. HSBC began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Monday, December 18th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $80.00.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AZN traded up $0.53 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $67.34. 7,453,464 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,233,873. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $65.70 and a 200-day moving average of $65.81. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $60.47 and a one year high of $76.56. The firm has a market cap of $208.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.07, a PEG ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.64.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.19% and a net margin of 13.00%. The business had revenue of $12.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $12.07 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.69 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.01 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were paid a $0.965 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. This represents a yield of 2.3%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.47. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 100.52%.

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.