12 Best International Dividend Stocks To Buy Now

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7. AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN)

Dividend Yield as of February 11: 2.09%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 42

The British biopharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN), specializes in developing and selling prescription medicines for oncology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, respiratory, and rare diseases. Recently, the company has canceled its £450 million investment to expand a vaccine plant in Merseyside, citing reduced government support. The company reasoned that prolonged discussions and changes to the government’s offer influenced the move. Despite this, AstraZeneca’s Speke site will continue providing flu vaccines for UK and global patients.

In May 2024, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) communicated that it plans to launch 20 new medicines by 2030 and has already secured approval for eight, including Datroway. The company’s total revenue jumped 25% in Q4, with full-year revenue up 21%, beating its own revised forecasts. Product sales saw a solid 19% growth for the year, fueled by strong demand across different regions.

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) raised its 2024 dividend to $3.10 per share and announced plans to increase it again to $3.20 for 2025. Moreover, AZN expects total revenue to grow by a high single-digit percentage in 2025, with core EPS rising by a low double-digit percentage, supported by strong growth momentum despite anticipated challenges.

Among the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) was found in 42 stock portfolios, compared to 49 in the last quarter. Ken Fisher’s Fisher Asset Management is the largest stakeholder in the company, with 10.4 million shares worth $816.5 million.

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