Stifel Financial Corp Sells 99,472 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Stifel Financial Corp decreased its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) by 7.4% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,249,432 shares of the company's stock after selling 99,472 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp's holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $81,863,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Marshall Wace LLP purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $254,018,000. Boston Partners raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 9,985.6% during the fourth quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,707,479 shares of the company's stock valued at $243,444,000 after acquiring an additional 3,670,719 shares during the period. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $158,018,000. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 8.7% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 19,122,675 shares of the company's stock worth $1,492,649,000 after purchasing an additional 1,522,715 shares during the period. Finally, Alliancebernstein L.P. boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 65.1% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 3,101,025 shares of the company's stock worth $203,179,000 after purchasing an additional 1,222,669 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company's stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 1.0 %

NASDAQ AZN traded up $0.67 during trading on Monday, reaching $70.24. The company's stock had a trading volume of 3,209,223 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,168,313. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $72.33 and a 200-day moving average price of $70.16. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $87.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $217.83 billion, a PE ratio of 31.07, a PEG ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.23% and a net margin of 13.01%. On average, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were given a $1.03 dividend. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AZN. BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They issued an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 target price for the company. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an "overweight" rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $88.00.

AstraZeneca Company 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.