Zacks Research Forecasts Weaker Earnings for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AstraZeneca in a research note issued to investors on Thursday, June 12th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will post earnings per share of $1.14 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate 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.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The company reported $1.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $13.71 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.06 EPS.

Separately, BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price target for the company. One 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 data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $85.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AZN opened at $74.42 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $230.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. AstraZeneca has a 1 year low of $61.24 and a 1 year high of $87.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $69.81 and a 200-day moving average of $70.31.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of America Corp DE raised its position in AstraZeneca by 189.3% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 24,026,966 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,574,247,000 after purchasing an additional 15,722,197 shares during the last quarter. Marshall Wace LLP acquired a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at $254,018,000. Boston Partners raised its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 9,985.6% during the fourth quarter. Boston Partners now owns 3,707,479 shares of the company’s stock worth $243,444,000 after acquiring an additional 3,670,719 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 30.9% during 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 acquiring an additional 3,224,251 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. bought a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at about $158,018,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.