Erste Group Bank Predicts Increased Earnings for Astrazeneca

Key Points

• Erste Group Bank raised AstraZeneca’s earnings forecasts, projecting FY2026 EPS of $10.34 versus $10.17 previously and FY2027 EPS of $11.50. Both estimates exceed the cited FY2026 consensus of $9.34.
• AstraZeneca shares opened at $168.15, up 1.2%, while analysts maintain a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating and an average price target of $206.67.
• Recent regulatory developments strengthened the company’s outlook: Enhertu secured NHS funding in England, European regulators recommended Enhertu and Klygefa, and the FDA granted priority review to efzimfotase alfa.

Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN - Free Report) - Equities research analysts at Erste Group Bank increased their FY2026 EPS estimates for Astrazeneca in a note issued to investors on Friday, September 18th. Erste Group Bank analyst H. Engel now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $10.34 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $10.17. The consensus estimate for Astrazeneca's current full-year earnings is $9.34 per share. Erste Group Bank also issued estimates for Astrazeneca's FY2027 earnings at $11.50 EPS.

AZN has been the subject of a number of other research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Astrazeneca from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, September 15th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Astrazeneca from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday, August 1st. Zacks Research lowered shares of Astrazeneca from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a "buy" rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Fourteen research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $206.67.

Astrazeneca Stock Up 1.2%

Shares of Astrazeneca stock opened at $168.15 on Tuesday. Astrazeneca has a 12-month low of $145.79 and a 12-month high of $212.71. The stock has a market capitalization of $260.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.13, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.25. 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 stock has a 50 day moving average price of $164.03 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $180.13.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.13. Astrazeneca had a return on equity of 31.45% and a net margin of 17.02%.The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.17 earnings per share. The firm's revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Astrazeneca

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Fisher Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Astrazeneca by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 21,601,433 shares of the company's stock worth $3,791,051,000 after purchasing an additional 438,709 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Astrazeneca by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 20,157,744 shares of the company's stock valued at $3,537,684,000 after buying an additional 445,014 shares during the last quarter. Amundi lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 6.7% during the 2nd quarter. Amundi now owns 16,422,784 shares of the company's stock worth $3,114,088,000 after buying an additional 1,036,635 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its position in Astrazeneca by 889.9% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 11,949,424 shares of the company's stock worth $2,319,947,000 after buying an additional 10,742,268 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada grew its holdings in Astrazeneca by 208.6% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 10,386,455 shares of the company's stock worth $2,048,417,000 after acquiring an additional 7,021,126 shares during the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Astrazeneca News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Enhertu secured NHS funding in England. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s breast-cancer drug was cleared for use by England’s National Health Service in patients with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer. The decision reverses an earlier cost-effectiveness rejection and expands potential patient access in a major European market. AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s Breast Cancer Drug Approved for NHS Use in England
• Positive Sentiment: European regulators recommended two AstraZeneca treatments. The European Medicines Agency’s CHMP issued positive opinions for Enhertu and Klygefa. Klygefa’s recommendation covers AChR-positive generalized myasthenia gravis and is supported by Phase III data, while Enhertu’s recommendation could broaden its European oncology opportunity. AstraZeneca’s Enhertu, Klygefa Get Positive CHMP Opinions in EU
• Positive Sentiment: Efzimfotase alfa received FDA priority review. The designation for the hypophosphatasia treatment could accelerate the U.S. regulatory timetable and improve visibility for a potential rare-disease product launch. FDA Grants Priority Review to AstraZeneca’s Efzimfotase Alfa
• Positive Sentiment: Erste Group Bank raised its earnings forecasts. The bank increased its FY2026 EPS estimate to $10.34 from $10.17 and its FY2027 estimate to $11.50 from $11.44. Both forecasts are above the cited full-year consensus estimate of $9.34, signaling greater confidence in AstraZeneca’s earnings outlook.

Astrazeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca plc is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its principal therapeutic areas include oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, respiratory and immunology conditions, and rare diseases.

The company's portfolio includes medicines such as Tagrisso, Imfinzi and Lynparza for cancer; Farxiga for cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions; Fasenra for severe asthma; and Symbicort for respiratory disease.

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