NBC Securities Inc. Lowers Stock Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

NBC Securities Inc. decreased its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 6.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 4,245 shares of the company’s stock after selling 315 shares during the quarter. NBC Securities Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $287,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 113.0% in the 4th quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 95,677 shares of the company’s stock valued at $6,444,000 after acquiring an additional 50,750 shares during the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 43.7% in the 4th quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 163,011 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,979,000 after acquiring an additional 49,541 shares during the last quarter. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 11.2% in the 4th quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 154,906 shares of the company’s stock valued at $10,433,000 after acquiring an additional 15,642 shares during the last quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 281.2% in the 4th quarter. Manning & Napier Group LLC now owns 2,779,212 shares of the company’s stock valued at $187,180,000 after acquiring an additional 2,050,064 shares during the last quarter. Finally, International Assets Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $10,395,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have issued reports on AZN. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $97.00 target price on the stock. Argus boosted their target price on shares of AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, May 30th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $88.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $78.88 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $244.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.67, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.48. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $80.86. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $76.48 and its 200 day moving average is $69.82. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 25th. The company reported $1.03 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.95 by $0.08. The company had revenue of $12.68 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.92 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.30% and a return on equity of 30.42%. Research analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.04 EPS for the current year.

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.