Crestwood Advisors Group LLC Takes Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Crestwood Advisors Group LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 4,139 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $279,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Simplicity Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. Simplicity Solutions LLC now owns 67,376 shares of the company’s stock worth $4,538,000 after purchasing an additional 7,040 shares during the last quarter. Seascape Capital Management boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Seascape Capital Management now owns 41,970 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,827,000 after buying an additional 1,804 shares during the period. NewEdge Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. NewEdge Wealth LLC now owns 31,564 shares of the company’s stock valued at $2,126,000 after acquiring an additional 2,530 shares during the last quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 124.6% in the 4th quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 17,825 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,201,000 after acquiring an additional 9,890 shares during the period. Finally, Sapient Capital LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth approximately $539,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.7 %

AZN opened at $68.93 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $213.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.90, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.50. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $65.89 and a 200 day moving average price of $65.82. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $76.56.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.74 by ($0.01). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.19% and a net margin of 13.00%. The firm had revenue of $12.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.07 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.69 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.02 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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

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.