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

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) saw some unusual options trading activity on Thursday. Stock investors bought 153,234 call options on the stock. This is an increase of approximately 1,149% compared to the typical volume of 12,270 call options.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $74.56 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. The stock has a market cap of $231.22 billion, a PE ratio of 32.99, a P/E/G ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca has a 1 year low of $62.75 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $68.60 and a 200 day moving average price of $73.30.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. Sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $89.75.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the third quarter worth about $28,000. Banque Transatlantique SA purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Albion Financial Group UT raised its holdings 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 buying an additional 248 shares during the period. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 31.8% during the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after buying an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.