Erste Group Bank Predicts Stronger Earnings for Astrazeneca

Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) – Investment analysts at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Astrazeneca in a report issued on Thursday, October 8th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $10.45 for the year, up from their previous forecast of $10.34. The consensus estimate for Astrazeneca’s current full-year earnings is $9.38 per share.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) last announced its earnings results on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.13. Astrazeneca had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The company had revenue of $15.38 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.17 earnings per share. Astrazeneca’s quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Nordea Equity Research raised shares of Astrazeneca from a “sell” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Astrazeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Sunday. CICC Research started coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Sunday, August 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $198.00 price target for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Fifteen analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $206.67.

Astrazeneca Price Performance

Shares of Astrazeneca stock opened at $162.21 on Tuesday. Astrazeneca has a twelve month low of $153.41 and a twelve month high of $212.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $161.96 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $176.37. The stock has a market capitalization of $251.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.32 and a beta of 0.27.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Astrazeneca in the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Astrazeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Roxbury Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca during the second quarter valued at about $29,000. Reflection Asset Management acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca during the first quarter valued at about $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Astrazeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca PLC is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Its research, development and commercial operations focus on prescription medicines for serious and chronic diseases, with an emphasis on discovering and delivering innovative therapies rather than operating as a diversified healthcare conglomerate.

The company’s principal therapeutic areas include oncology; cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases; respiratory and immunological conditions; and rare diseases.