Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) Lowered to Strong Sell Rating by Zacks Research

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) was downgraded by research analysts at Zacks Research from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note issued on Monday, Zacks reports.

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. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research report on Friday, June 26th. Royal Bank Of Canada assumed coverage on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Tuesday, September 8th. They set an “outperform” rating for the company. Wall Street Zen cut Astrazeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 1st. Finally, CICC Research initiated coverage on Astrazeneca in a research report on Sunday, August 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $198.00 target price on the stock. Fourteen investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Astrazeneca currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $206.67.

Astrazeneca Stock Performance

Shares of AZN stock opened at $161.76 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.89. The company has a market capitalization of $250.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.39 and a beta of 0.25. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $164.96 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $181.57. Astrazeneca has a 52 week low of $145.79 and a 52 week high of $212.71.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.50 by $0.13. The firm had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.44 billion. Astrazeneca had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The business’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.17 earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that Astrazeneca will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AZN. Kestra Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Astrazeneca by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Kestra Investment Management LLC now owns 3,391 shares of the company’s stock valued at $595,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares during the period. Addison Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Astrazeneca by 3.9% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,736 shares of the company’s stock worth $305,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd raised its position in shares of Astrazeneca by 51.8% during the 1st quarter. Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd now owns 258 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the period. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Astrazeneca by 5.5% in the 2nd quarter. PFG Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,770 shares of the company’s stock worth $336,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hardy Reed LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Astrazeneca by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Hardy Reed LLC now owns 3,801 shares of the company’s stock worth $667,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Key Astrazeneca News

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Tagrisso delivered a significant long-term survival benefit. Eight-year ADAURA follow-up data showed Tagrisso reduced the risk of death by 47% in the primary population and 48% overall among patients with early-stage EGFR-mutated lung cancer. The results support the drug’s durability and continued contribution to AstraZeneca’s oncology revenue. AstraZeneca’s TAGRISSO Achieves 8-Year Survival Milestone
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst earnings expectations were raised, indicating that at least one analyst sees potential for improved profitability despite the clinical setback. AstraZeneca also previously reported earnings above consensus estimates, with year-over-year revenue growth. FY2026 EPS Estimates for Astrazeneca Increased by Analyst
• Neutral Sentiment: AstraZeneca was selected as a CNBC “Final Trade,” providing some favorable visibility among market commentators, although such recommendations typically have limited fundamental impact. AstraZeneca on CNBC’s Final Trades
• Negative Sentiment: Camizestrant, marketed as Etcamah, failed to meet the primary endpoint in the Phase III SERENA-4 trial for previously untreated ER-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. The numerical improvement was not statistically significant, weakening expectations for one of AstraZeneca’s important future oncology growth drivers. The failure does not affect the drug’s currently approved use. AstraZeneca’s Oncology Engine Faces a Key Test After Camizestrant Miss
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks added AZN to its Rank #5 “Strong Sell” list, reinforcing near-term concerns about the stock’s outlook and likely adding to selling pressure. New Strong Sell Stocks for September 15th

About Astrazeneca

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.