AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Receives $95.75 Consensus Target Price from Analysts

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) have earned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the ten analysts that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $95.75.

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on AZN. Citigroup began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They set a “buy” rating for the company. Barclays reaffirmed an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, December 9th. Wall Street Zen downgraded AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and issued a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth about $31,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Finally, Acumen Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $47,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 1.1%

AZN stock opened at $201.52 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $312.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 66.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $140.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $104.11. 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 has a 12 month low of $122.48 and a 12 month high of $212.71.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $1.595 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 20th. This represents a yield of 156.0%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 74.83%.

AstraZeneca Company 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.