BNP Paribas Financial Markets Boosts Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

BNP Paribas Financial Markets increased its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 190.7% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,622,304 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,064,207 shares during the period. BNP Paribas Financial Markets’ holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $124,463,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AZN. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. FSA Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 376.0% during the 2nd quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 2nd quarter valued at $33,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 144.0% in the third quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 275 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Abound Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 1,767.9% during the third quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 495 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AZN opened at $193.09 on Thursday. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $122.48 and a 12-month high of $212.71. The company has a market cap of $299.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.15, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The company’s 50 day moving average is $152.83 and its 200 day moving average is $108.82.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be given a dividend of $1.595 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is presently 66.26%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AZN. Wall Street Zen lowered AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, January 17th. TD Cowen reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, December 9th. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, January 21st. HSBC restated a “buy” rating and issued a $108.00 target price on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $95.75.

AstraZeneca Profile

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.