Professional Advisory Services Inc. Has $28.12 Million Stock Holdings in Astrazeneca Plc $AZN

Professional Advisory Services Inc. lessened its position in Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) by 6.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 305,897 shares of the company’s stock after selling 22,745 shares during the quarter. Astrazeneca makes up about 3.6% of Professional Advisory Services Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest holding. Professional Advisory Services Inc.’s holdings in Astrazeneca were worth $28,121,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of AZN. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $25,000. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. JPL Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Astrazeneca in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $35,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in Astrazeneca by 144.0% in 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 during the last quarter. Finally, Abound Wealth Management lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 1,767.9% in the 3rd quarter. Abound Wealth Management now owns 523 shares of the company’s stock valued at $40,000 after acquiring an additional 495 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have commented on AZN shares. HSBC reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $108.00 target price on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Wednesday, December 10th. Citigroup initiated coverage on Astrazeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Wall Street Zen raised Astrazeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, March 20th. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Wednesday, March 18th. Finally, Weiss Ratings began coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Wednesday, March 11th. They set a “buy (b)” rating on the stock. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Astrazeneca presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

Astrazeneca Stock Up 0.8%

Shares of AZN opened at $185.54 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $287.75 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.96, a PEG ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.94 and a quick ratio of 0.72. Astrazeneca Plc has a one year low of $122.48 and a one year high of $212.71.

Astrazeneca Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th were paid a $1.595 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 20th. Astrazeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 74.83%.

Astrazeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca plc is a global 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 positions itself as R&D-driven, investing in discovery science, clinical development and regulatory processes to bring new therapies to market.

The company’s commercial portfolio and late-stage pipeline emphasize oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic (CVRM) diseases, and respiratory and immunology.