AstraZeneca Target of Unusually Large Options Trading (NASDAQ:AZN)

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) was the recipient of some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Stock investors acquired 167,020 call options on the company. This represents an increase of approximately 3,235% compared to the average volume of 5,008 call options.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 149.3% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bangor Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 102.7% during the 4th quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 304 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 154 shares in the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Finally, Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.1%

Shares of AstraZeneca stock traded down $0.18 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $208.49. The company had a trading volume of 1,951,933 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,001,978. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.69. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of $122.48 and a fifty-two week high of $212.71. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $119.74 and a 200 day moving average price of $95.74. The firm has a market cap of $323.35 billion, a PE ratio of 69.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This represents a yield of 165.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 74.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, January 21st. TD Cowen reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Monday, October 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Barclays reissued an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.75.

About AstraZeneca

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.