Q2 EPS Estimates for AstraZeneca Increased by Zacks Research

Key Points

• Zacks Research has increased AstraZeneca's Q2 2026 earnings per share estimate to $1.22, up from $1.21, while projecting Q3 2026 earnings at $1.29 EPS and Q4 2026 earnings at $1.30 EPS.
• The company's recent earnings report showed a net margin of 14.68% and revenue of $14.46 billion, exceeding analyst expectations.
• AstraZeneca has a market capitalization of $242.19 billion and currently presents a "Moderate Buy" average rating with a price target of $86.00.

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of AstraZeneca in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, August 13th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.22 for the quarter, up from their prior forecast of $1.21. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca's current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca's Q3 2026 earnings at $1.29 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.30 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $4.97 EPS and Q1 2027 earnings at $1.27 EPS.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $1.09. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.84% and a net margin of 14.68%. The firm had revenue of $14.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $14.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.24 EPS. The company's quarterly revenue was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year.

Separately, Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price target on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $86.00.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 0.9%

AZN stock traded up $0.70 during trading on Thursday, hitting $79.17. 4,760,279 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,665,339. The company has a 50-day moving average of $72.32 and a 200-day moving average of $71.91. AstraZeneca has a 1 year low of $61.24 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The firm has a market capitalization of $245.53 billion, a PE ratio of 29.76, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.86.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a $0.505 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 200.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. AstraZeneca's dividend payout ratio is 37.97%.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AZN. Primecap Management Co. CA lifted its holdings in AstraZeneca by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 41,200,091 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,879,062,000 after purchasing an additional 538,606 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 1.9% during the fourth quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 37,507,159 shares of the company's stock valued at $2,457,706,000 after purchasing an additional 686,008 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 189.3% in the fourth quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 24,026,966 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,574,247,000 after buying an additional 15,722,197 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its position in AstraZeneca by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 21,298,394 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,488,332,000 after buying an additional 196,401 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC raised its stake in AstraZeneca by 2.6% in the 2nd quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 20,695,979 shares of the company's stock valued at $1,446,235,000 after acquiring an additional 530,520 shares during the period. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.