Zacks Research Increases Earnings Estimates for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2026 earnings per share estimates for AstraZeneca in a report released on Friday, October 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $1.30 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.29. 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 $1.36 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $5.05 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $1.29 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $1.40 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $1.49 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $5.75 EPS.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $1.09 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.09. The business had revenue of $14.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.08 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 32.84% and a net margin of 14.68%.AstraZeneca’s revenue was up 16.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm posted $1.24 earnings per share.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Berenberg Bank set a $97.00 price objective on AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft downgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 16th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $86.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $83.22 on Monday. The stock’s 50-day simple moving average is $80.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $74.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $258.10 billion, a PE ratio of 31.29, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.55. AstraZeneca has a twelve month low of $61.24 and a twelve month high of $86.57.

AstraZeneca Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 8th. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th were paid a $0.505 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 200.0%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 8th. AstraZeneca’s payout ratio is currently 37.97%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 149.3% during the 2nd quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 364 shares of the company’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 218 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 297.9% during the 1st quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares during the last quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 59.8% during the 2nd quarter. Richardson Financial Services Inc. now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 149 shares during the last quarter. Costello Asset Management INC bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Finally, FSA Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 376.0% during the 2nd quarter. FSA Wealth Management LLC now owns 476 shares of the company’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

About AstraZeneca

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.