Cozad Asset Management Inc. Cuts Stock Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Cozad Asset Management Inc. cut its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 4.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 34,404 shares of the company’s stock after selling 1,506 shares during the quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,254,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Horizon Kinetics Asset Management LLC now owns 12,876 shares of the company’s stock worth $844,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.5% during the fourth quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 60,146 shares of the company’s stock worth $3,941,000 after buying an additional 903 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.1% during the fourth quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 12,901 shares of the company’s stock worth $845,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Twin Tree Management LP boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 708.1% during the fourth quarter. Twin Tree Management LP now owns 85,210 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,583,000 after buying an additional 74,666 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nicholas Company Inc. boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 17.3% during the fourth quarter. Nicholas Company Inc. now owns 1,161,009 shares of the company’s stock worth $76,069,000 after buying an additional 171,199 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $77.37 on Tuesday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $62.75 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $72.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $72.20. The firm has a market cap of $239.94 billion, a PE ratio of 34.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.41. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS 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 32.23%. Equities analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 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. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is currently 91.15%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on AZN. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

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.