Verdence Capital Advisors LLC Raises Stock Position in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Verdence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) by 7.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 29,501 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 2,020 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $2,298,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crumly & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.2% during the third quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. now owns 6,644 shares of the company’s stock worth $518,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. SpiderRock Advisors LLC boosted its stake in AstraZeneca by 327.6% in the 3rd quarter. SpiderRock Advisors LLC now owns 35,902 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,797,000 after purchasing an additional 27,505 shares in the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $266,000. Hollencrest Capital Management increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 38.4% during the 3rd quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth $28,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.3 %

AZN opened at $64.49 on Friday. 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 PLC has a twelve month low of $60.47 and a twelve month high of $87.68. The company has a market cap of $199.96 billion, a PE ratio of 31.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $77.07 and a 200 day moving average price of $78.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AZN has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Erste Group Bank upgraded AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. Finally, TD Cowen raised their price objective on shares of AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average 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.