Korea Investment Adds $255M in AstraZeneca PLC ($AZN)

Korea Investment has taken a new position in AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE: AZN), adding 1,345,126 shares. This stake is valued at approximately $240.4 million, according to the latest Form 13F filing with the SEC. The filing reflects holdings as of the reporting period and not necessarily the investor's current position.

What Changed in Korea Investment's AstraZeneca Position

Korea Investment's move to acquire 1,345,126 shares of AstraZeneca marks a new entry into the stock. The shares, valued at $240.4 million, were purchased at an average cost basis of $132.53 each. This acquisition represents a significant new investment in the healthcare sector.

Other Institutional Activity in AstraZeneca

Several other institutional investors have also been active in AstraZeneca. Investor AB significantly increased its stake by 51,587,810 shares, bringing its total to 51,587,810 shares worth about $10.17 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 45,040,142 shares, ending with a similar count valued at approximately $8.81 billion. Capital International Investors boosted its holdings by 19,871,935 shares, now holding 34,393,013 shares valued at $6.72 billion. Meanwhile, FMR LLC increased its position by 7,752,869 shares to a total of 29,601,724 shares, worth about $5.80 billion. Capital World Investors made a substantial addition of 27,350,501 shares, ending with 28,264,580 shares valued at $5.52 billion.

AstraZeneca PLC Stock Up 16.5%

Shares of AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) traded near $178.75. The company boasts a market cap of $277.2 billion, with a P/E ratio of 27.0 and a forward P/E of 22.2. AstraZeneca has a beta of 0.214, indicating low volatility compared to the market. The stock's 52-week range is between $137.22 and $212.71, with a 50-day moving average of $189.14 and a 200-day moving average of $182.05.

Recent Earnings

AstraZeneca reported $60.44 billion in revenue, reflecting a growth rate of 12.5%. The company's earnings per share (EPS) stands at $6.63, with a net margin of 17.2% and a return on equity (ROE) of 23.5%. The next earnings report is expected on July 27, 2026.

Dividend

AstraZeneca offers an annual dividend rate of $3.16, yielding 1.77%. The dividend payout ratio is 47.7%, indicating a balanced approach to returning profits to shareholders.

Insider Buying and Selling at AstraZeneca PLC

Recent insider activity includes Sharma Mani, SVP, Group Controller and Head of Global Finance Services, selling 11,893 shares on May 20, 2026, at an average price of $185.78. Earlier, Mani made small purchases of one share each on May 6 and April 7, 2026, at prices of $186.28 and $196.03, respectively. Aradhana Sarin sold 15,000 shares on November 12, 2025, at $88.88.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts have set varied price targets for AstraZeneca. On August 12, 2024, Cowen & Co. maintained a "buy" rating with a target of $95. Leerink Partners reiterated a "buy" rating with a $136 target on July 26, 2024. Jefferies maintained a "hold" rating with a $74 target on July 2, 2024. The consensus among analysts is a "strong buy," with a mean target price of $224.49.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC is a leading biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company serves various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism, as well as respiratory and immunology. AstraZeneca operates globally, employing approximately 96,100 people. The company is led by CEO Mr. Pascal Claude Roland Soriot.

Bottom Line

Korea Investment's new position in AstraZeneca is notable, as it involves a substantial stake in a leading healthcare company. Investors often track such filings to gauge institutional confidence in a company. It's important to remember that 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect the current position of the investor.