Zacks Research Reduces Earnings Estimates for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) - Stock analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AstraZeneca in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 9th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.15 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.16. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca's current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca's Q2 2026 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.26 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $4.94 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $5.39 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently issued reports on AZN. Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 2.6 %

Shares of AstraZeneca stock traded up $1.72 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $68.01. The company had a trading volume of 5,939,845 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,249,754. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of $61.24 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $73.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.83. The firm has a market cap of $210.91 billion, a PE ratio of 30.09, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.

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AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 0.3% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 493,447 shares of the company's stock worth $38,444,000 after purchasing an additional 1,269 shares during the last quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 26,777 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,086,000 after acquiring an additional 1,050 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 15.5% during the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 17,929 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,397,000 after purchasing an additional 2,408 shares during the period. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.8% in the third quarter. Rehmann Capital Advisory Group now owns 10,027 shares of the company's stock worth $788,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the period. Finally, Advisory Resource Group bought a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the third quarter valued at approximately $946,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a boost from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca's payout ratio is 91.15%.

About AstraZeneca

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.