MQS Management LLC Reduces Position in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

MQS Management LLC trimmed its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 47.1% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,855 shares of the company’s stock after selling 2,541 shares during the quarter. MQS Management LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $219,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. NewSquare Capital LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 149.3% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 376.0% during the 2nd quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 144.0% during the 3rd quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup assumed coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AstraZeneca stock opened at $205.47 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $112.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $92.82. The stock has a market capitalization of $318.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 68.26, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $122.48 and a 12 month high of $206.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.69.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.595 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 165.0%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 34.77%.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.