AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) Short Interest Update

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 3,881,346 shares, a decline of 68.4% from the January 15th total of 12,267,466 shares. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s shares are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,685,989 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 11,685,989 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days. Currently, 0.3% of the company’s shares are short sold.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Lloyd Advisory Services LLC. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Basepoint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter worth $44,000. Bangor Savings Bank increased its holdings in AstraZeneca by 102.7% in the fourth quarter. Bangor Savings Bank now owns 304 shares of the company’s stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 154 shares during the last quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC purchased a new position in AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management acquired a new stake in AstraZeneca in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 20.35% of the company’s stock.

AstraZeneca Trading Up 2.6%

AZN opened at $192.87 on Wednesday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $105.85 and a 200 day moving average price of $90.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.69. AstraZeneca has a 12 month low of $122.48 and a 12 month high of $195.90. The stock has a market capitalization of $299.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 64.08, a PEG ratio of 1.59 and a beta of 0.34.

AstraZeneca Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 23rd. Investors of record on Friday, February 20th will be paid a dividend of $1.595 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 165.0%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, February 20th. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio is presently 33.55%.

Key AstraZeneca News

Here are the key news stories impacting AstraZeneca this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Strong full‑year 2025 results and bullish 2026 guidance — management reported $58.7B revenue for 2025, raised profit guidance and forecast mid‑to‑high single‑digit revenue growth with low‑double‑digit EPS growth for 2026, which underpins the share rally. Drugmaker AstraZeneca forecasts sales and profit growth in 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Regulatory win for Imfinzi — NICE approved Imfinzi as the first perioperative immuno‑oncology treatment for muscle‑invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), strengthening AstraZeneca’s oncology growth story. AstraZeneca’s Imfinzi wins NICE nod as first perioperative IO treatment for MIBC
• Positive Sentiment: Dividend increase — board declared a dividend of $1.595 per share (record Feb. 20, pay Mar. 23), supporting income investors and signaling confidence in cash flow. (Dividend announcement from company filings and market summaries.)
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst sentiment improving — at least one post‑results upgrade to Buy highlighted the company’s 2025 performance, pipeline momentum and management’s $80B 2030 target as catalysts. AstraZeneca: Q4 Earnings Analysis – Ticks The Boxes, Upgrading To Buy
• Neutral Sentiment: DATROWAY review and China expansion factor into valuation debate — corporate moves in China and regulatory/asset reviews are reshaping investor models but have mixed near‑term impact on cash flow forecasts. AstraZeneca’s DATROWAY Review And China Moves Shape Valuation Debate
• Neutral Sentiment: Short interest dynamics are noisy — reported large month‑to‑month swings in short interest data, but days‑to‑cover remains negligible relative to volume, so short covering is unlikely to be a sustained driver. (Market short‑interest reports.)
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and patent risks remain — analysts note lofty current multiples and looming patent expiries on key products; some models still imply significant downside versus today’s price, leaving the stock exposed if growth disappoints. AstraZeneca: Q4 Earnings Analysis – Ticks The Boxes, Upgrading To Buy

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a “sell” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday. Morgan Stanley reissued an “overweight” rating and set a $103.00 target price on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, December 3rd. Wall Street Zen cut AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, January 17th. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, October 27th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Finally, Guggenheim reissued a “buy” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $95.75.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, England. Formed through the 1999 merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group, the company researches, develops, manufactures and commercializes prescription medicines across a range of therapeutic areas. AstraZeneca’s operations span research and development, large-scale manufacturing, and commercial distribution, with a presence in developed and emerging markets worldwide.

The company focuses on several core therapy areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism (CVRM), respiratory and immunology, and rare diseases.