AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) Upgraded at UBS Group

UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Thursday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 1.2 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $73.58 on Thursday. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of $61.77 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 0.93. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $68.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $73.43. The company has a market capitalization of $228.18 billion, a PE ratio of 32.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.55%. Research analysts expect that AstraZeneca will post 4.66 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be given a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is 43.36%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 320.8% during the 3rd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at $28,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at $45,000. Albion Financial Group UT lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 38.4% in the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock valued at $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.

AstraZeneca Company 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.