Zacks Research Decreases Earnings Estimates for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AstraZeneca in a note issued to investors on Thursday, June 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.14 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.15. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s Q4 2026 earnings at $1.31 EPS.

Separately, BNP Paribas assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $85.00.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

Shares of NASDAQ:AZN opened at $70.97 on Monday. AstraZeneca has a one year low of $61.24 and a one year high of $87.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.90 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The company has a market cap of $220.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.50, a PEG ratio of 1.35 and a beta of 0.38. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $70.07 and a 200 day simple moving average of $70.35.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.14. The company had revenue of $13.59 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.71 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 14.14% and a return on equity of 33.14%. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.06 EPS.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AstraZeneca

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AZN. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings 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 purchasing an additional 15,722,197 shares during the period. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth approximately $254,018,000. Boston Partners raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 9,985.6% during the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,707,479 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,444,000 after purchasing an additional 3,670,719 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in AstraZeneca by 30.9% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 13,647,948 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,003,124,000 after buying an additional 3,224,251 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $158,018,000. 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.