AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) have earned an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $89.75.

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Erste Group Bank raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.3 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $66.52 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. The firm has a market cap of $206.25 billion, a PE ratio of 31.83, a P/E/G ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.45. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $68.09 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $75.92. AstraZeneca has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 12th. The company reported $1.04 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.01 by $0.03. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.01% and a net margin of 12.68%. The company had revenue of $13.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.08 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.87 earnings per share. AstraZeneca’s quarterly revenue was up 18.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that AstraZeneca will post 4.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AZN. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 320.8% in the 3rd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 38.4% during the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock worth $54,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AstraZeneca

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.