AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Leerink Partnrs boosted their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AstraZeneca in a report issued on Monday, April 28th. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.13 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.11. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca's current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for AstraZeneca's Q2 2025 earnings at $1.13 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.15 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.14 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.55 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.17 EPS.
AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.14. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. The firm had revenue of $13.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $13.71 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $2.06 earnings per share. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis.
A number of other analysts have also recently commented on AZN. BNP Paribas started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an "outperform" rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group upgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an "overweight" rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, AstraZeneca has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $88.00.
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AstraZeneca Stock Performance
AZN traded up $1.93 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $72.44. 5,374,416 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,155,152. The stock has a market capitalization of $224.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.05, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. AstraZeneca has a 52-week low of $61.24 and a 52-week high of $87.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company's fifty day moving average price is $72.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $70.04.
Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca
Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Banque Transatlantique SA purchased a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Confluence Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca during the first quarter worth about $27,000. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company's stock.
AstraZeneca Increases Dividend
The company also recently announced a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca's previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is currently 91.15%.
AstraZeneca Company Profile
(
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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.
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