AstraZeneca PLC $AZN Shares Sold by Madison Asset Management LLC

Madison Asset Management LLC lowered its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 10.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 42,179 shares of the company’s stock after selling 4,908 shares during the quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,236,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Fayez Sarofim & Co raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 173.4% in the 2nd quarter. Fayez Sarofim & Co now owns 3,745,902 shares of the company’s stock valued at $261,764,000 after buying an additional 2,376,032 shares during the period. Acadian Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2,389.9% during the second quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 2,043,850 shares of the company’s stock worth $142,798,000 after purchasing an additional 1,961,764 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.2% in the second quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 12,167,365 shares of the company’s stock valued at $850,255,000 after buying an additional 1,605,133 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 64.8% during the 2nd quarter. Raymond James Financial Inc. now owns 3,783,251 shares of the company’s stock valued at $264,373,000 after acquiring an additional 1,487,662 shares during the period. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the 2nd quarter valued at about $96,936,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Friday, February 6th. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. Guggenheim reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Monday, October 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Ten investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $95.75.

Key Headlines Impacting AstraZeneca

Here are the key news stories impacting AstraZeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong Q4 results and confident 2026 guidance — AstraZeneca reported 2025 revenue growth (~8% to $58.7bn), solid operating margins, and management guided to mid‑to‑high single‑digit revenue growth and low double‑digit EPS growth for 2026, which lifted sentiment. Q4 2025 earnings call transcript
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst support — Citi kept a Buy and reiterated a £170 target, calling AZN a top pick based on a sector‑leading pipeline and “reassuring” guidance, which backs further upside. Citi maintains ‘buy’ on AstraZeneca
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase — AstraZeneca declared an interim dividend (record Feb 20, payable Mar 23), reinforcing cash return policy and income appeal for investors. (Company release / filings)
• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory/clinical wins for oncology — Imfinzi received a NICE nod as a perioperative IO treatment for MIBC, supporting the company’s cancer franchise growth. Imfinzi NICE nod
• Neutral Sentiment: Valuation debate around DATROWAY and China strategy — Coverage discusses how DATROWAY review and expansion in China factor into valuation; could influence expectations but is uncertain near term. DATROWAY review and China moves
• Neutral Sentiment: Short interest data noise — Reports show large month‑to‑month swings and some zero/NaN values in short interest filings; likely a reporting anomaly rather than a fresh short squeeze or sustained bearish pressure. (Market data summary)
• Negative Sentiment: Legal risk in China — A former AstraZeneca regional head has been officially charged in China; this creates reputational and potential compliance risk, though it appears tied to an individual rather than company admissions. Former regional head charged in China

AstraZeneca Stock Up 5.6%

AZN opened at $204.22 on Thursday. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $108.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $91.09. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $122.48 and a 52 week high of $204.92. The firm has a market cap of $316.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 67.85, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.595 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 165.0%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 34.77%.

AstraZeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.