Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) Stock Has Consensus Price Target of $206.67

Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) has been given an average rating of “Moderate Buy” by the nineteen analysts that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and fifteen have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 12 month price target among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $206.67.

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Tuesday, June 30th. Weiss Ratings lowered Astrazeneca from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Wednesday, July 1st. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Astrazeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 15th. Finally, Zacks Research raised shares of Astrazeneca from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 13th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Astrazeneca

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of AZN. IFP Advisors Inc grew its stake in Astrazeneca by 22.1% in the 3rd quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 7,765 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,254,000 after buying an additional 1,408 shares in the last quarter. Ariston Services Group purchased a new position in shares of Astrazeneca in the third quarter worth about $222,000. Encompass More Asset Management increased its stake in Astrazeneca by 46.2% in the 3rd quarter. Encompass More Asset Management now owns 2,167 shares of the company’s stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 685 shares during the period. Fulcrum Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Astrazeneca by 11.1% in the third quarter. Fulcrum Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 14,712 shares of the company’s stock worth $2,376,000 after buying an additional 1,467 shares during the period. Finally, New England Research & Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Astrazeneca during the third quarter valued at about $1,234,000. 20.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Key Headlines Impacting Astrazeneca

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AI partnership expands pipeline potential: AstraZeneca agreed to collaborate with insitro on machine-learning-based drug discovery for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and cardiomyopathies. The deal could be worth up to $1.5 billion, including upfront and milestone payments plus royalties, giving AstraZeneca access to new potential therapies while spreading early-stage research risk. AstraZeneca Enters AI Drug Discovery Partnership
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts remain constructive: RBC Capital Markets reiterated its “outperform” rating and 14,500-pence target, forecasting third-quarter revenue and core EPS modestly above consensus ahead of AstraZeneca’s October 30 results. Citi also raised its target to £186. RBC Keeps AstraZeneca at Outperform
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially attractive valuation: A market commentary highlighted that AZN has declined more than 8% this year even though operating performance has remained relatively resilient. The article points to a forward price-to-earnings multiple of about 14.6 times as a possible long-term buying opportunity. AstraZeneca Valuation Commentary
• Neutral Sentiment: Options activity surged: Investors purchased 49,737 call options, more than 14 times typical volume. This may signal bullish positioning, but options activity alone does not establish a fundamental change in the company’s outlook.
• Neutral Sentiment: Mixed analyst signal: Zacks Research upgraded AstraZeneca from “strong sell” to “hold,” indicating reduced pessimism but not a bullish recommendation. AZN is also being monitored for breast-cancer sales growth, expanded approvals and clinical milestones.
• Negative Sentiment: Underperformance remains an overhang: AstraZeneca continues to lag the broader market, and investors may be waiting for upcoming earnings and the AVANZAR lung-cancer trial before assigning greater value to its pipeline.

Astrazeneca Stock Down 0.1%

Astrazeneca stock opened at $165.23 on Monday. Astrazeneca has a fifty-two week low of $153.41 and a fifty-two week high of $212.71. 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 firm’s 50-day simple moving average is $162.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $175.96. The stock has a market cap of $256.26 billion, a PE ratio of 24.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.27.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.13. Astrazeneca had a return on equity of 31.45% and a net margin of 17.02%. The business had revenue of $15.38 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $15.44 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.17 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts predict that Astrazeneca will post 9.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Astrazeneca

AstraZeneca plc is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. The company discovers, develops and commercializes prescription medicines, with a focus on oncology, biopharmaceuticals and rare diseases. Its research and commercial operations serve patients and healthcare systems across more than 100 countries.

AstraZeneca’s portfolio includes medicines for cancer, respiratory and immune-mediated conditions, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, and rare disorders.