AstraZeneca PLC $AZN Shares Sold by Nicholas Company Inc.

Nicholas Company Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 1.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,139,599 shares of the company’s stock after selling 21,410 shares during the period. AstraZeneca makes up approximately 1.3% of Nicholas Company Inc.’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 13th largest holding. Nicholas Company Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $79,635,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Larson Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the period. Richardson Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 59.8% during the second quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the period. Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth about $29,000. Maseco LLP bought a new stake in AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth about $34,000. Finally, Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in AstraZeneca in the first quarter worth about $37,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AZN has been the topic of several research reports. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They issued a “buy” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Finally, Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $86.00.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of AZN opened at $82.40 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $81.13 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $255.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.36. AstraZeneca PLC has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $86.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55.

About AstraZeneca

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.