Brokerages Set Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) Target Price at $206.67

Astrazeneca Plc (NYSE:AZN) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eighteen analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and fourteen have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $206.6667.

AZN has been the topic of a number of research reports. Weiss Ratings lowered Astrazeneca from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Astrazeneca from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a research note on Monday, June 1st. Bank of America reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Astrazeneca in a report on Wednesday, July 1st. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Astrazeneca from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Monday, September 14th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Astrazeneca

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AZN. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its holdings in Astrazeneca by 14.5% during the 2nd quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 248,108 shares of the company’s stock worth $46,554,000 after buying an additional 31,379 shares during the period. Archford Capital Strategies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the second quarter valued at about $498,000. Cidel Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Astrazeneca in the second quarter valued at about $44,480,000. Capital Analysts LLC raised its position in shares of Astrazeneca by 18.2% during the second quarter. Capital Analysts LLC now owns 962 shares of the company’s stock worth $181,000 after acquiring an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SVB Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Astrazeneca in the second quarter worth approximately $532,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

Astrazeneca Trading Down 0.0%

Shares of Astrazeneca stock opened at $166.13 on Thursday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $164.06 and its 200 day moving average is $180.57. The firm has a market capitalization of $257.65 billion, a PE ratio of 24.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 0.25. Astrazeneca has a 1 year low of $145.79 and a 1 year high of $212.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47.

Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, July 27th. The company reported $2.63 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.50 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $15.38 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.44 billion. Astrazeneca had a net margin of 17.02% and a return on equity of 31.45%. The firm’s revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.17 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that Astrazeneca will post 9.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Key Headlines Impacting Astrazeneca

Here are the key news stories impacting Astrazeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: The European Medicines Agency’s positive recommendation for Klygefa moves the treatment closer to potential EU authorization, adding another commercial opportunity to AstraZeneca’s portfolio. AstraZeneca’s Klygefa receives positive EU approval recommendation
• Positive Sentiment: CEO share purchases are being interpreted as a confidence signal from management, while the Klygefa recommendation has helped reinforce momentum in the shares. AstraZeneca stock gains momentum following CEO share purchase and European drug approval
• Positive Sentiment: The FDA granted priority review to efzimfotase alfa for hypophosphatasia, potentially accelerating the drug’s review and expanding treatment options through a less-frequent dosing schedule. FDA grants priority review to AZN’s filing for rare bone disease drug
• Positive Sentiment: Enhertu, AstraZeneca’s breast-cancer drug partnered with Daiichi Sankyo, was cleared for use in England’s NHS, broadening access and potentially supporting future sales. AstraZeneca-Daiichi breast cancer drug cleared for NHS use in England
• Positive Sentiment: Positive Phase III data for Enhertu in HER2-mutated advanced lung cancer and encouraging long-term Tagrisso data strengthen AstraZeneca’s oncology growth outlook. AstraZeneca reported first HER2-directed lung cancer Phase III success
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts rate AstraZeneca a consensus “Moderate Buy,” while more than 20 expected pipeline readouts could provide additional catalysts. AstraZeneca given consensus Moderate Buy recommendation
• Negative Sentiment: Recent pipeline setbacks remain an overhang, and investors must assess whether upcoming clinical readouts can offset disappointing developments and execution risks. Can AstraZeneca’s broad pipeline offset recent setbacks?

Astrazeneca Company Profile

AstraZeneca plc is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of prescription medicines. Its principal therapeutic areas include oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, respiratory and immunology conditions, and rare diseases.

The company’s portfolio includes medicines such as Tagrisso, Imfinzi and Lynparza for cancer; Farxiga for cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic conditions; Fasenra for severe asthma; and Symbicort for respiratory disease.