Analysts Set AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Target Price at $95.75

Shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) have received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the ten ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation and nine have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $95.75.

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday, January 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Barclays restated an “overweight” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. HSBC reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $108.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 10th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 price objective on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen lowered shares of AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $194.44 on Friday. AstraZeneca has a twelve month low of $122.48 and a twelve month high of $212.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $301.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.60, a P/E/G ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.32. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $146.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.43. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

AstraZeneca Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th will be issued a $1.595 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of 156.0%. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 66.26%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. MV Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Reflection Asset Management purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at about $44,000. Finally, Acumen Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.