GF Fund Management CO. LTD. Trims Stock Position in AstraZeneca PLC $AZN

GF Fund Management CO. LTD. cut its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 129,842 shares of the company’s stock after selling 3,770 shares during the quarter. GF Fund Management CO. LTD.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $9,961,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 149.3% in the second quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 218 shares in the last quarter. Rakuten Investment Management Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth about $31,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 144.0% in the 3rd quarter. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. now owns 466 shares of the company’s stock valued at $36,000 after acquiring an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. VSM Wealth Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 2nd quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 376 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $205.47 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. The stock has a market cap of $318.66 billion, a PE ratio of 68.26, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34. The company’s fifty day moving average is $112.72 and its 200 day moving average is $92.95. AstraZeneca PLC has a 52 week low of $122.48 and a 52 week high of $206.71.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have issued reports on AZN shares. Barclays reiterated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, January 6th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, January 21st. Morgan Stanley restated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Guggenheim reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $95.75.

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.