Astrazeneca Plc (AZN) - What Are Researchers Saying About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is broadly positive: Eighteen analysts give AstraZeneca a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, with 14 buys, three holds and one sell. The average one-year price target is $206.67, above the reported share price of $159.36.
• Recent earnings exceeded expectations: AstraZeneca reported quarterly EPS of $2.63 versus the $2.50 consensus estimate, while revenue rose 6.4% year over year to $15.38 billion, slightly below expectations.
• Institutional ownership remains limited but growing: Several investment firms recently initiated positions, though institutional investors collectively own 20.35% of the stock. Shares are trading near the lower end of their $153.41–$212.71 one-year range.

Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eighteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year target price among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $206.67.

A number of analysts have recently commented on AZN shares. Zacks Research cut Astrazeneca from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Wall Street Zen lowered Astrazeneca from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Sunday. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Astrazeneca in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. They set an "outperform" rating for the company. Finally, Bank of America reissued a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 1st.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Astrazeneca

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. MV Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $26,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the first quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Roxbury Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the second quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Reflection Asset Management purchased a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Finally, GK Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Astrazeneca during the third quarter valued at approximately $31,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Astrazeneca Trading Up 0.1%

NYSE:AZN opened at $159.36 on Monday. Astrazeneca has a one year low of $153.41 and a one year high of $212.71. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.89 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The company's 50-day simple moving average is $161.94 and its 200 day simple moving average is $176.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $247.16 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.82, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.27.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping 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 business had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $2.17 earnings per share. The business's revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Astrazeneca will post 9.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.

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