Q1 EPS Estimates for AstraZeneca Cut by Leerink Partnrs

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Equities researchers at Leerink Partnrs lowered their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of AstraZeneca in a research report issued on Monday, February 10th. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $1.11 for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.16. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.66 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.11 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.13 EPS and Q4 2025 earnings at $1.11 EPS.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on the stock. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, UBS Group raised shares of 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, six have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $74.43 on Wednesday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $67.67 and its two-hundred day moving average is $73.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $230.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.93, a PEG ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. AstraZeneca has a 52 week low of $60.76 and a 52 week high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings data 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 32.55%.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 320.8% in the 3rd quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 247 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth $28,000. Albion Financial Group UT increased its position in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Groupama Asset Managment boosted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 22.9% in the 3rd quarter. Groupama Asset Managment now owns 543,398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 101,225 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.