Signaturefd LLC Buys 7,141 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 14.3% in the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 57,198 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 7,141 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $4,461,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Able Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the first quarter valued at $29,000. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 468.4% in the 4th quarter. Pin Oak Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 449 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 370 shares in the last quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC raised its position in AstraZeneca by 56.3% in the 1st quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 178 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northwest Financial Advisors bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ AZN traded up $0.32 on Friday, hitting $87.62. 2,836,793 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,251,905. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $80.81 and its 200-day moving average price is $74.81. The company has a market capitalization of $271.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.95, a P/E/G ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 0.45. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52-week low of $60.47 and a 52-week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $12.45 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.62 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.34% and a net margin of 13.11%. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.08 EPS. Equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.06 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 48.04%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have recently commented on AZN shares. Barclays upgraded shares of AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Argus boosted their target price on shares of AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. TD Cowen raised their price target on AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Citigroup upgraded AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $97.00 target price on the stock. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

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.