AstraZeneca FY2025 EPS Estimate Lifted by Zacks Research

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) - Investment analysts at Zacks Research increased their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of AstraZeneca in a research note issued on Monday, February 3rd. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now expects that the company will post earnings of $4.59 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $4.58. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca's current full-year earnings is $4.66 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca's Q4 2026 earnings at $1.35 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.09 EPS.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.55% and a net margin of 13.01%.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "sell" rating to a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of AZN traded down $0.37 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $71.99. 6,223,477 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,156,712. AstraZeneca has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.71. The stock has a market cap of $223.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 31.85, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The stock's 50-day moving average is $67.46 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.64.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.0% in the 3rd quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,699 shares of the company's stock worth $522,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 2.2% in the third quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. now owns 6,644 shares of the company's stock valued at $518,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 3.6% in the fourth quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,402 shares of the company's stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. Veery Capital LLC lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the 4th quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 3,503 shares of the company's stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harbour Investments Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 8,805 shares of the company's stock worth $686,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st will be paid a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 21st. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is currently 43.36%.

AstraZeneca Company 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.