Zacks Research Forecasts Increased Earnings for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for shares of AstraZeneca in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, October 16th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.06 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.05. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.07 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s Q3 2025 earnings at $1.18 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.23 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.57 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.19 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.25 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.32 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.12 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on the company. TD Cowen boosted their price target on AstraZeneca from $90.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, September 13th. Barclays raised AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Monday, June 24th. Citigroup upgraded AstraZeneca to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, Erste Group Bank upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.4 %

NASDAQ AZN opened at $78.02 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The company has a market cap of $241.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.25, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a 50 day moving average of $81.19 and a 200-day moving average of $78.04. AstraZeneca has a 1-year low of $60.47 and a 1-year high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 25th. The company reported $0.99 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.98 by $0.01. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 29.34% and a net margin of 13.11%. The business had revenue of $12.45 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.62 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. GHP Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the 2nd quarter worth about $26,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. RFP Financial Group LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 56.3% in the 1st quarter. RFP Financial Group LLC now owns 494 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 178 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 40.6% in the first quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 506 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 146 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hobbs Group Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth approximately $35,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 9th were paid a $0.49 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, August 9th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.8%. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is presently 48.04%.

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.