Q4 EPS Estimates for AstraZeneca Lowered by Zacks Research

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q4 2026 earnings estimates for shares of AstraZeneca in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, April 9th. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $1.34 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $1.35. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 earnings per share 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 32.23%.

AZN has been the subject of a number of other reports. BNP Paribas began coverage on AstraZeneca in a research note on Tuesday. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 price objective for the company. UBS Group raised AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They set an “overweight” rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $86.80.

AstraZeneca Stock Down 0.2 %

AstraZeneca stock opened at $67.87 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $210.48 billion, a PE ratio of 30.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 0.93. AstraZeneca has a fifty-two week low of $61.24 and a fifty-two week high of $87.68. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $73.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $70.75.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AZN. Confluence Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Banque Transatlantique SA acquired a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Albion Financial Group UT raised its holdings in AstraZeneca by 68.9% during the fourth quarter. Albion Financial Group UT now owns 608 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 31.8% during the 4th quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company’s stock worth $42,000 after buying an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a $1.03 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 91.15%.

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.