WCM Investment Management LLC Has $204.21 Million Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

WCM Investment Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 39.3% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,034,254 shares of the company's stock after selling 1,963,451 shares during the quarter. WCM Investment Management LLC owned 0.10% of AstraZeneca worth $204,205,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $279,000. Simplicity Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 67,376 shares of the company's stock valued at $4,538,000 after buying an additional 7,040 shares during the period. Seascape Capital Management raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.5% during the 4th quarter. Seascape Capital Management now owns 41,970 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,827,000 after buying an additional 1,804 shares during the period. NewEdge Wealth LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 8.7% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 31,564 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,126,000 after purchasing an additional 2,530 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 124.6% during the 4th quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 17,825 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,201,000 after purchasing an additional 9,890 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AZN traded down $0.52 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $68.93. 9,121,475 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,571,533. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $65.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $213.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.50. AstraZeneca PLC has a twelve month low of $60.47 and a twelve month high of $76.56.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $12.02 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.00% and a return on equity of 30.19%. The firm's revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.69 EPS. On average, analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.02 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.