AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Shares Sold by Foresight Global Investors Inc.

Foresight Global Investors Inc. trimmed its position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 3.6% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 258,028 shares of the company’s stock after selling 9,702 shares during the period. AstraZeneca comprises approximately 10.0% of Foresight Global Investors Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 2nd largest holding. Foresight Global Investors Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $17,378,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 15.5% during the 3rd quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 1,209 shares of the company’s stock worth $82,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the period. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 0.3% in the fourth quarter. Bryn Mawr Capital Management LLC now owns 61,866 shares of the company’s stock valued at $4,167,000 after purchasing an additional 164 shares during the last quarter. Gradient Investments LLC lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 2.4% in the third quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 7,259 shares of the company’s stock valued at $492,000 after buying an additional 169 shares during the period. Drive Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 4.5% during the fourth quarter. Drive Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,911 shares of the company’s stock worth $263,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Glenview Trust co increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Glenview Trust co now owns 4,724 shares of the company’s stock valued at $320,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 0.8 %

AZN traded up $0.64 during trading on Thursday, hitting $77.61. The company had a trading volume of 2,972,096 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,319,074. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $69.01 and its 200 day moving average price is $66.58. The company has a market capitalization of $240.63 billion, a PE ratio of 38.04, a PEG ratio of 1.38 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.73. AstraZeneca PLC has a one year low of $60.47 and a one year high of $77.64.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $12.02 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.42% and a net margin of 13.30%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.69 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts expect that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, April 16th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $81.00.

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.