Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC Has $34.28 Million Stake in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC lessened its stake in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 6.3% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 523,164 shares of the company’s stock after selling 35,324 shares during the period. AstraZeneca accounts for about 1.4% of Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Hardman Johnston Global Advisors LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $34,278,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the stock. Crumly & Associates Inc. grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 2.2% in the third quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. now owns 6,644 shares of the company’s stock valued at $518,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,402 shares of the company’s stock valued at $295,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Veery Capital LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 3,503 shares of the company’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 8,805 shares of the company’s stock valued at $686,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smith Salley Wealth Management raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 1.0% during the third quarter. Smith Salley Wealth Management now owns 16,158 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,259,000 after buying an additional 162 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN opened at $74.20 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $68.76 and a 200 day moving average of $73.17. The company has a market capitalization of $230.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.83, a PEG ratio of 1.43 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $62.75 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.51 earnings per share for the current year.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is presently 43.36%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AZN has been the subject of several recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca 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.