Leerink Partnrs Predicts Reduced Earnings for AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Research analysts at Leerink Partnrs lowered their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for AstraZeneca in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, February 10th. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $1.11 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.16. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.66 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.11 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.13 EPS and Q4 2025 earnings at $1.11 EPS.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.55%.

AZN has been the topic of a number of other reports. UBS Group raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Morgan Stanley began coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday. They issued an “overweight” rating on the stock. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $89.75.

AstraZeneca Price Performance

AstraZeneca stock opened at $72.73 on Wednesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $67.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $73.52. AstraZeneca has a 12 month low of $60.47 and a 12 month high of $87.68. The company has a market capitalization of $225.54 billion, a PE ratio of 32.18, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.93, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 320.8% during the third quarter. McClarren Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 324 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 247 shares in the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca in the 3rd quarter valued at about $28,000. Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $45,000. Albion Financial Group UT boosted its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 68.9% in the 4th quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hollencrest Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 38.4% in the third quarter. Hollencrest Capital Management now owns 692 shares of the company’s stock valued at $54,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st will be issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This is a boost from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 43.36%.

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.