Q1 EPS Estimates for AstraZeneca Reduced by Leerink Partnrs

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Research analysts at Leerink Partnrs reduced their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for AstraZeneca in a research note issued to investors on Monday, February 10th. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now forecasts that the company will earn $1.11 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast 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.

Several other brokerages have also recently commented on AZN. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 20th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca presently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.1 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $72.73 on Wednesday. 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 firm has a 50-day moving average of $67.58 and a 200-day moving average of $73.52. The company has a market cap of $225.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca has a one year low of $60.47 and a one year high of $87.68.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its 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%.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

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

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in AstraZeneca by 2.0% during the third quarter. Stratos Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,699 shares of the company’s stock worth $522,000 after buying an additional 133 shares in the last quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 12,901 shares of the company’s stock valued at $845,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Crumly & Associates Inc. grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Crumly & Associates Inc. now owns 6,644 shares of the company’s stock worth $518,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of 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 purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Finally, Veery Capital LLC raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 3,503 shares of the company’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is 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.