Ameritas Advisory Services LLC Sells 5,064 Shares of AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

Ameritas Advisory Services LLC decreased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 67.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,429 shares of the company’s stock after selling 5,064 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $186,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 149.3% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 218 shares during the period. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the third quarter worth $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 376.0% during the second 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 acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 144.0% in the third quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on AZN shares. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Wall Street Zen cut AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 17th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, February 6th. Finally, TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, December 9th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 1.9%

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $209.39 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a current ratio of 0.88. The firm has a market cap of $324.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 69.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $122.48 and a 52 week high of $211.27. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $117.40 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $94.95.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a $1.595 dividend. This represents a yield of 165.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 74.83%.

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.