Schechter Investment Advisors LLC Trims Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Schechter Investment Advisors LLC lowered its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 3.7% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 12,481 shares of the company’s stock after selling 482 shares during the period. Schechter Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $841,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of AZN. First Affirmative Financial Network grew its position in AstraZeneca by 2.9% in the third quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network now owns 5,495 shares of the company’s stock worth $372,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.5% in the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,209 shares of the company’s stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 32.9% during the 3rd quarter. Center for Financial Planning Inc. now owns 671 shares of the company’s stock valued at $45,000 after buying an additional 166 shares in the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.4% during the 3rd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 7,259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $492,000 after buying an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Glenview Trust Co lifted its position in AstraZeneca by 3.9% in the 2nd quarter. Glenview Trust Co now owns 4,550 shares of the company’s stock worth $326,000 after buying an additional 172 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AZN stock opened at $68.26 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $211.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.55, a PEG ratio of 1.22 and a beta of 0.49. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $65.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $65.80. The company has a current ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12-month low of $60.47 and a 12-month high of $76.56.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $12.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.19% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.69 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.07 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.965 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.47. This represents a dividend yield of 2.3%. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is 100.52%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. HSBC assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Monday, December 18th. They set a “buy” rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 23rd. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded AstraZeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $80.00.

AstraZeneca Company Profile

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.