Holistic Financial Partners lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN – Get Rating) by 44.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,813 shares of the company's stock after acquiring an additional 1,801 shares during the period. Holistic Financial Partners' holdings in AstraZeneca were worth $319,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Better Money Decisions LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the second quarter worth $25,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4,875.0% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 398 shares of the company's stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 390 shares during the period. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter worth about $28,000. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. grew its position in AstraZeneca by 129.5% in the third quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 514 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after acquiring an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. 16.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, October 12th. They set a "buy" rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on AstraZeneca from £120 ($144.25) to £130 ($156.27) in a research report on Thursday, December 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on AstraZeneca from £125 ($150.26) to £135 ($162.28) in a research note on Tuesday, January 3rd. Berenberg Bank upped their price objective on AstraZeneca from GBX 118 ($1.42) to GBX 126 ($1.51) in a research note on Wednesday, January 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Thursday, January 5th. They set an "outperform" rating on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $9,510.67.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN – Get Rating) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 10th. The company reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $10.98 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $10.98 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.40% and a net margin of 4.52%. Equities analysts predict that AstraZeneca PLC will post 3.33 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About AstraZeneca

(Get Rating)

AstraZeneca Plc is a holding company, which engages in the research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. It focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines in Oncology and BioPharmaceuticals, including Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism, and Respiratory & Immunology.

Read More

• Get a free copy of the StockNews.com research report on AstraZeneca (AZN)
• Should Investors Buy or Sell the Vaccinex Patent News?
• Take-Two Interactive Or Activision Blizzard: An Obvious Choice?
• What is a Penny Stock? What You Need to Know About Penny Stocks
• ServiceNow CEO Sells Shares, Is It Time To Worry?
• Patient Clorox Shareholders Are Cleaning Up

Receive News & Ratings for AstraZeneca Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AstraZeneca and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.