Cozad Asset Management Inc. Has $3.19 Million Holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Cozad Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 25.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 40,910 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 8,400 shares during the quarter. Cozad Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $3,191,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AZN. Founders Financial Securities LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 12,666 shares of the company’s stock worth $988,000 after acquiring an additional 684 shares during the period. Naviter Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 11.0% during the second quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 70,130 shares of the company’s stock worth $5,469,000 after purchasing an additional 6,968 shares during the period. LifeGuide Financial Advisors LLC increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 45.2% in the second quarter. LifeGuide Financial Advisors LLC now owns 4,519 shares of the company’s stock valued at $352,000 after purchasing an additional 1,406 shares during the last quarter. Legacy Capital Wealth Partners LLC bought a new stake in AstraZeneca in the second quarter valued at about $704,000. Finally, Crestwood Advisors Group LLC lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 8.7% in the second quarter. Crestwood Advisors Group LLC now owns 5,959 shares of the company’s stock valued at $465,000 after buying an additional 477 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $85.72 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $265.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.02, a PEG ratio of 1.65 and a beta of 0.47. AstraZeneca PLC has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $81.10 and its 200 day simple moving average is $75.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $12.45 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.62 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.34% and a net margin of 13.11%. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.08 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that AstraZeneca PLC will post 4.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 9th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 9th will be paid a dividend of $0.49 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is currently 48.04%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently commented on AZN. Barclays raised AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Argus upped their target price on shares of AstraZeneca from $80.00 to $85.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, May 30th. Citigroup raised shares of AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Monday, June 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Thursday, May 30th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $97.00 price objective for the company. Finally, TD Cowen lifted their target price on AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently 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.