AstraZeneca plc (GB:AZN)
LSE:AZN
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AstraZeneca
(LSE:AZN)
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Rating:71Outperform
Price Target:
14,931.00 p
▼(-1.24% Downside)
Action:Reiterated
Date:05/05/26
The score is driven primarily by strong underlying fundamentals (profitability, margins, and returns) and a constructive earnings update with reiterated guidance and meaningful pipeline progress. These positives are partly offset by weak technical momentum, moderate valuation, and near-term cash/debt pressures tied to higher investment and payments.
Positive Factors
High and improving profitability
Multi-year revenue expansion to ~60.8B TTM combined with very high gross margins and improved operating/net margins supports durable cash generation. Strong margins underpin sustainable investment in R&D, manufacturing and shareholder returns over the next 2–6 months and beyond.
Negative Factors
Sizeable total debt burden
Although leverage has improved, a large absolute debt stock constrains financial flexibility. Elevated debt increases sensitivity to rising finance costs and limits bandwidth for big M&A or opportunistic spend, making capital allocation more constrained over the medium term.
Read all positive and negative factors
Positive Factors
Negative Factors
High and improving profitability
Multi-year revenue expansion to ~60.8B TTM combined with very high gross margins and improved operating/net margins supports durable cash generation. Strong margins underpin sustainable investment in R&D, manufacturing and shareholder returns over the next 2–6 months and beyond.
Read all positive factors
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (EWC)
Market Cap
£217.21B
Dividend Yield1.53%
Average Volume (3M)1.97M
Price to Earnings (P/E)24.4
Beta (1Y)1.07
Revenue Growth4.64%
EPS Growth26.75%
CountryUK
Employees94,300
SectorHealthcare
Sector Strength45
IndustryDrug Manufacturers - General
Share Statistics
EPS (TTM)6.74
Shares Outstanding1,550,995,600
10 Day Avg. Volume1,915,698
30 Day Avg. Volume1,967,885
Financial Highlights & Ratios
PEG Ratio0.58
Price to Book (P/B)5.91
Price to Sales (P/S)4.90
P/FCF Ratio33.17
Enterprise Value/Market CapN/A
Enterprise Value/RevenueN/A
Enterprise Value/Gross ProfitN/A
Enterprise Value/EbitdaN/A
Forecast
1Y Price Target
£16,076.92Price Target Upside6.34% Upside
Rating ConsensusStrong Buy
Number of Analyst Covering15
EPS Forecast (FY)10.28
Revenue Forecast (FY)£63.49B
AstraZeneca Business Overview & Revenue Model
Company Description
AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its marketed products include Calquence, Enhertu, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Koselugo, Lumoxiti, L...
How the Company Makes Money
AstraZeneca makes money primarily by selling patented prescription medicines to healthcare systems, hospitals, pharmacies, and wholesalers across major geographies (e.g., the U.S., Europe, and emerging markets). Its core revenue stream is product ...
AstraZeneca Earnings Call Summary
Earnings Call Date:Apr 29, 2026
(Q1-2026)
| % Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jul 27, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call highlighted robust commercial momentum and strong R&D execution: double-digit growth in oncology and rare disease, four positive Phase III readouts (including tozorakimab and efzimfotase alfa), high core gross margins and reiterated full-year guidance. These positives are tempered by clear near-term headwinds—declines in biopharmaceutical/CVRM revenues driven by LOE and pricing changes (VBP), selective clinical misses or non-significant primary endpoints in parts of the rare/metabolic and COPD extension data, increased capital and milestone outflows, and a rise in net debt. On balance the company presented multiple high-value growth drivers and a rich 2026 catalyst calendar that outweigh the operational and access challenges discussed.Positive Updates
Total Revenue and Profit Growth
Total revenue grew 8% in Q1 2026; core operating profit increased 12%, and core EPS rose 5% to $2.58 (growth tempered by a low prior-period tax rate).
Negative Updates
Biopharmaceuticals Overall Decline and CVRM Headwinds
Biopharmaceuticals total revenue declined 2% to $5.8 billion. CVRM revenue declined 6% to $3.3 billion, reflecting loss of exclusivity (LOE) headwinds and expected generic entry dynamics.
Read all updates
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive
Negative
Total Revenue and Profit Growth
Total revenue grew 8% in Q1 2026; core operating profit increased 12%, and core EPS rose 5% to $2.58 (growth tempered by a low prior-period tax rate).
Read all positive updates
Company Guidance
AstraZeneca reiterated full‑year guidance, expecting total revenue to increase by a mid‑ to high‑single‑digit percentage and core EPS to increase by a low‑double‑digit percentage at constant exchange rates, with average March FX expected to give a low single‑digit positive impact on revenue and a neutral impact on core EPS. In Q1 the company delivered revenue growth of 8% (product revenue +8%, alliance revenue +26%), core operating profit +12%, core EPS +5% to $2.58, and a core gross margin of 83%; core R&D rose 8% and accounted for 23% of revenue in Q1 (full‑year core R&D expected at the upper end of the low‑20s % of revenue), while core SG&A was up 7%. Cash flow from operations was $3.4bn, CapEx was $600m (CapEx anticipated to increase by about one‑third in 2026), deal/payments were $1.1bn in the quarter with full‑year milestone payments expected around $2.5bn, net debt increased by ~ $2.5bn in the quarter, and core finance expenses are expected to rise this year.AstraZeneca Financial Statement Overview
Summary
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
Balance Sheet
74
Positive
Cash Flow
67
Positive
| Breakdown | TTM | Dec 2025 | Dec 2024 | Dec 2023 | Dec 2022 | Dec 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Income Statement | ||||||
| Total Revenue | 60.83B | 58.74B | 52.94B | 46.58B | 44.25B | 37.11B |
| Gross Profit | 48.48B | 48.11B | 39.70B | 34.45B | 28.04B | 22.60B |
| EBITDA | 20.54B | 19.83B | 14.86B | 13.20B | 8.63B | 4.59B |
| Net Income | 10.45B | 10.22B | 6.89B | 6.06B | 3.28B | 109.85M |
Balance Sheet | ||||||
| Total Assets | 114.02B | 114.07B | 104.03B | 101.12B | 96.48B | 105.36B |
| Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments | 7.67B | 5.74B | 5.65B | 5.91B | 6.24B | 6.37B |
| Total Debt | 33.92B | 29.62B | 30.11B | 28.41B | 29.14B | 30.69B |
| Total Liabilities | 66.63B | 65.36B | 63.16B | 61.95B | 59.42B | 66.08B |
| Stockholders Equity | 47.33B | 48.67B | 40.79B | 39.14B | 37.04B | 39.27B |
Cash Flow | ||||||
| Free Cash Flow | 8.79B | 8.67B | 7.28B | 6.57B | 7.24B | 3.76B |
| Operating Cash Flow | 14.22B | 14.57B | 11.86B | 10.35B | 9.81B | 5.96B |
| Investing Cash Flow | -7.35B | -6.81B | -7.98B | -4.06B | -2.96B | -11.06B |
| Financing Cash Flow | -4.57B | -7.54B | -4.00B | -6.57B | -6.82B | 3.65B |
AstraZeneca Technical Analysis
Neutral
15118.00
Price Trends
14240.20
Negative
14242.16
Negative
13344.56
Positive
Market Momentum
-126.43
Negative
48.70
Neutral
94.77
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:AZN, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 15118 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 13719.20, above the 50-day MA of 14240.20, and above the 200-day MA of 13344.56, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -126.43 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 48.70 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 94.77 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for GB:AZN.
AstraZeneca Risk Analysis
AstraZeneca disclosed 19 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. AstraZeneca reported the most risks in the "Legal & Regulatory" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 1 New Risks
1.
Failure to meet our sustainability targets, regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations with respect to the environment Q4, 2024
AstraZeneca Peers Comparison
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Name | Overall Rating | Market Cap | P/E Ratio | ROE | Dividend Yield | Revenue Growth | EPS Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
71 Outperform | £217.21B | 24.41 | 22.41% | 1.53% | 4.64% | 26.75% | |
70 Outperform | £9.74B | 10.55 | 11.79% | 2.35% | 2.84% | 47.82% | |
67 Neutral | £3.97B | 22.69 | 10.53% | 2.11% | 3.29% | -10.58% | |
67 Neutral | £76.40B | 11.95 | 35.78% | 3.29% | 3.97% | 87.05% | |
59 Neutral | £3.14B | 6.96 | 15.83% | 4.16% | 3.84% | 8.83% | |
51 Neutral | $7.86B | -0.30 | -43.30% | 2.27% | 22.53% | -2.21% |
* Healthcare Sector Average
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AstraZeneca Corporate Events
Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Updates Total Voting Rights and Admits New Shares from Employee Schemes
Neutral
May 1, 2026
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, and commercialising prescription medicines across Oncology, Rare Diseases, and BioPharmaceuticals, including cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, resp...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related AnnouncementsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
FDA panel’s negative vote clouds AstraZeneca’s bid for camizestrant in advanced breast cancer
Negative
May 1, 2026
AstraZeneca has suffered a setback in the U.S. after the FDA’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 6–3 against supporting the benefit‑risk profile of its investigational breast cancer drug camizestrant when combined with a C...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related AnnouncementsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
FDA Panel Backs AstraZeneca’s Truqap Combo for Aggressive Prostate Cancer
Positive
May 1, 2026
AstraZeneca’s oncology portfolio gained momentum after a U.S. FDA advisory panel backed Truqap (capivasertib) combined with abiraterone and androgen deprivation therapy for PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. The reg...
Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
AstraZeneca posts strong Q1 2026 growth and doubles down on high-value pipeline
Positive
Apr 29, 2026
AstraZeneca reported Q1 2026 Total Revenue of $15.3 billion, up 8% at constant exchange rates, driven by double-digit growth in oncology and rare disease, with core operating profit up 12% and core EPS up 5%. Management reaffirmed full-year 2026 g...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
AstraZeneca Wins First U.S. Asthma Approval for Triple-Inhaler Breztri
Positive
Apr 28, 2026
AstraZeneca has secured U.S. FDA approval for Breztri Aerosphere as the first and only single-inhaler triple-combination maintenance therapy for asthma in patients aged 12 and older, expanding its use beyond chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. ...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related AnnouncementsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Wins U.S. Approval for Self-Injectable Saphnelo in Lupus
Positive
Apr 27, 2026
AstraZeneca has secured U.S. FDA approval for a new subcutaneous, once-weekly autoinjector formulation of its lupus drug Saphnelo, branded as the Saphnelo Pen, enabling adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus to self-administer treatment ...
Executive/Board Changes
AstraZeneca Board Member Rene Haas to Step Down After New CEO Appointment
Neutral
Apr 23, 2026
AstraZeneca said Non-Executive Director Rene Haas will step down from the Board on 30 April 2026, after his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of SoftBank Group International in addition to his existing role as CEO of Arm Holdings. The company...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
AstraZeneca’s Ultomiris Hits Phase III Mark in Rare Kidney Disease
Positive
Apr 21, 2026
AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit Alexion has reported positive interim Phase III data for Ultomiris in adults with immunoglobulin A nephropathy, a rare kidney disease that can progress to end-stage kidney failure. The I CAN trial showed a sta...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
AstraZeneca’s Tozorakimab Delivers Third Positive Phase III Result in COPD
Positive
Apr 20, 2026
AstraZeneca reported that its IL-33-targeting biologic tozorakimab met the primary endpoint in the Phase III MIRANDA trial in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, marking the third positive pivotal study for the drug in COPD. The therapy, given ...
Executive/Board ChangesStock BuybackDividendsShareholder Meetings
AstraZeneca Wins Strong Shareholder Backing at 2026 AGM
Positive
Apr 9, 2026
AstraZeneca shareholders overwhelmingly approved all resolutions at the 9 April 2026 Annual General Meeting, including reappointment of KPMG as auditor, confirmation of 2025 interim dividends and wide-ranging authorities on share allotment, buybac...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
AstraZeneca’s rare disease unit posts positive Phase III data for new hypophosphatasia therapy
Positive
Mar 31, 2026
AstraZeneca reported positive top-line results from a global Phase III programme of efzimfotase alfa (ALXN1850), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy for hypophosphatasia, a rare inherited metabolic bone disease. The programme enrolled 19...
Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Adds Employee Scheme Shares to LSE Listing
Neutral
Mar 20, 2026
AstraZeneca has admitted 45,750 additional ordinary shares of $0.25 each to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market, bringing the total number of shares in issue to 1,550,980,332. The new shares, which are fully fungible with exis...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related AnnouncementsRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Wins EU Nod for Imfinzi as First Perioperative Immunotherapy in Early Gastric Cancer
Positive
Mar 16, 2026
AstraZeneca has secured European Union approval for its immunotherapy Imfinzi, in combination with standard FLOT chemotherapy, as the first perioperative immunotherapy regimen for adults with resectable early-stage and locally advanced gastric and...
Business Operations and StrategyRegulatory Filings and ComplianceShareholder Meetings
AstraZeneca Sets Digitally Enabled 2026 AGM with Key Governance and Capital Votes
Neutral
Mar 10, 2026
AstraZeneca has published the notice and shareholders’ circular for its 2026 Annual General Meeting, which will be digitally enabled and held on 9 April 2026 at 14:30 BST. The documents, including the proxy form and updated 2020 Performance ...
Executive/Board Changes
AstraZeneca CEO Receives 101,495 Shares as Long-Term Incentive Award Vests
Neutral
Mar 6, 2026
AstraZeneca disclosed that Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot received an allocation of 101,495 ordinary shares following the vesting of a long-term incentive award under the AstraZeneca Performance Share Plan. The award, originally granted in ...
Executive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Executives Receive Vested Deferred Share Awards
Positive
Mar 6, 2026
AstraZeneca has reported that deferred share awards granted in March 2023 under its AstraZeneca Deferred Bonus Plan have vested for senior executives, following the completion of a three-year holding period tied to 2022 performance. Chief executiv...
Executive/Board ChangesRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Grants Long-Term Share Awards to CEO and CFO
Neutral
Mar 6, 2026
AstraZeneca has granted share awards to Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot and Chief Financial Officer Aradhana Sarin under its Deferred Bonus Plan and Performance Share Plan, aligning a portion of their 2025 bonuses and long-term incentives wi...
Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
AstraZeneca Raises $2bn in Three-Tranche Global Bond Offering
Positive
Feb 26, 2026
AstraZeneca has tapped the debt markets through its subsidiary AstraZeneca Finance LLC, pricing a three-tranche global bond offering totalling $2bn, with maturities in 2031, 2033 and 2036 and fixed coupons ranging from 4.000% to 4.600%. The procee...
Financial DisclosuresRegulatory Filings and Compliance
AstraZeneca Files 2025 Form 20-F Annual Report with U.S. SEC
Neutral
Feb 25, 2026
AstraZeneca has filed its 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, making the document available on both the regulator’s and the company’s websites. The company is also offering hard copies of i...
Financial DisclosuresRegulatory Filings and ComplianceShareholder Meetings
AstraZeneca Files 2025 Annual Report Ahead of April 2026 AGM
Neutral
Feb 24, 2026
AstraZeneca has published its 2025 Annual Report and Form 20-F Information, making the document available via the U.K. National Storage Mechanism and on the company’s website, with hard copies to be dispatched to shareholders in due course. ...
Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
AstraZeneca refreshes board as Nazneen Rahman to retire and sustainability leadership shifts
Positive
Feb 24, 2026
AstraZeneca announced changes to its non-executive board, with long-serving director Nazneen Rahman set to retire at the conclusion of the company’s annual general meeting on 9 April 2026, ending a tenure that began in 2017 and included lead...
Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
AstraZeneca wins U.S. nod for first fixed-duration all-oral CLL combo
Positive
Feb 20, 2026
AstraZeneca has secured U.S. FDA approval for Calquence (acalabrutinib) in combination with venetoclax as the first all-oral, fixed-duration regimen for adults with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma. ...
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer
This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.