AstraZeneca FY2026 EPS Forecast Raised by Leerink Partnrs

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Analysts at Leerink Partnrs upped their FY2026 EPS estimates for AstraZeneca in a research report issued on Monday, February 10th. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now forecasts that the company will earn $5.10 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $5.07. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.66 per share.

Other research analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ AZN opened at $74.51 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $67.82 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $73.49. The company has a market cap of $231.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca has a 52 week low of $61.06 and a 52 week high of $87.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.71, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 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. Shareholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is 43.36%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 82.9% during the third quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 24,967 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,945,000 after buying an additional 11,315 shares during the last quarter. ORG Partners LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 26.0% in the third quarter. ORG Partners LLC now owns 1,220 shares of the company’s stock worth $95,000 after buying an additional 252 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 8.0% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 224,751 shares of the company’s stock valued at $17,510,000 after buying an additional 16,692 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.3% during the third quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 2,705,757 shares of the company’s stock valued at $210,806,000 after acquiring an additional 35,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 13.2% in the 3rd quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,759 shares of the company’s stock worth $291,000 after acquiring an additional 437 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.