Institutional Investors Report Mixed AstraZeneca Holdings Changes in Recent Filings
Groupama Asset Management acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca, while ING Groep NV trimmed its position, reflecting mixed institutional activity. Amundi, Janus Henderson, and Royal Bank of Canada significantly increased their holdings in the first quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of AstraZeneca's stock.
Several institutional investors have recently disclosed changes to their holdings in AstraZeneca PLC, with some acquiring new stakes and others reducing positions. Groupama Asset Management acquired a new stake of 863,629 shares in the first quarter, valued at approximately $170,325,000, while ING Groep NV trimmed its stake by 76.0% in the third quarter, leaving 3,220 shares worth $247,000.
Amundi raised its position in AstraZeneca by 146,574.4% in the first quarter, now owning 15,386,149 shares worth $3,034,456,000 after buying an additional 15,375,659 shares. Janus Henderson Group PLC boosted its holdings by 889.9% to 11,949,424 shares valued at $2,319,947,000. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position by 208.6% to 10,386,455 shares worth $2,048,417,000. Swiss National Bank bought a new stake worth approximately $1,202,714,000, and SEB Asset Management AB acquired a new stake worth approximately $1,157,593,000.
In the second and third quarters, other funds made notable moves. US Bancorp DE lifted its holdings by 6.6% in the third quarter, owning 242,181 shares worth $18,581,000 after purchasing an additional 15,065 shares. Fayez Sarofim & Co grew its position by 173.4% in the second quarter, now owning 3,745,902 shares worth $261,764,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC boosted its stake by 2,389.9% to 2,043,850 shares valued at $142,798,000. Raymond James Financial Inc. increased its holdings by 64.8% to 3,783,251 shares worth $264,373,000. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board purchased a new stake worth $96,936,000, and JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position by 27.8% in the third quarter to 4,824,072 shares worth $370,103,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings by 6.5% to 310,383 shares worth $23,813,000 after purchasing an additional 19,020 shares.
Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of AstraZeneca's stock.
The company recently declared a dividend of $1.595 per share, payable on Monday, March 23rd to stockholders of record on Friday, February 20th, with an ex-dividend date of February 20th. This represents a dividend yield of approximately 165% and a payout ratio of 74.83%.
AstraZeneca last issued quarterly earnings on Monday, July 27th, reporting $2.63 earnings per share, topping the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis.
Analysts have assigned AstraZeneca a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy."
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. The company focuses on oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.