Capital Research Global Investors Raises Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Capital Research Global Investors grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 1.1% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 785,259 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 8,306 shares during the quarter. Capital Research Global Investors’ holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $60,243,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital World Investors grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 612.2% in the 3rd quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,093,620 shares of the company’s stock worth $83,498,000 after buying an additional 940,062 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Inc. CA raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.2% during the 3rd quarter. Capital International Inc. CA now owns 448,738 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,427,000 after buying an additional 18,059 shares in the last quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Causeway Capital Management LLC now owns 1,067,371 shares of the company’s stock valued at $81,889,000 after acquiring an additional 113,923 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can lifted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 344.6% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 3,478,114 shares of the company’s stock valued at $266,841,000 after acquiring an additional 2,695,793 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Pinkerton Wealth LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 7.5% in the third quarter. Pinkerton Wealth LLC now owns 70,802 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,432,000 after acquiring an additional 4,957 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AstraZeneca stock opened at $193.09 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $299.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.32. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $122.48 and a 1-year high of $212.71. The company’s 50-day moving average is $152.83 and its 200 day moving average is $108.82.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $1.595 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 66.26%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on AZN. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, February 6th. HSBC restated a “buy” rating and set a $108.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Citigroup started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

AstraZeneca 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.