Zacks Research Comments on AstraZeneca PLC’s Q1 2025 Earnings (NASDAQ:AZN)

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for AstraZeneca in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, April 3rd. Zacks Research analyst R. Department now forecasts that the company will earn $1.06 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.08. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.01 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.15 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.18 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.26 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $4.65 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.23 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $5.24 EPS.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 8th. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.74 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $12.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a return on equity of 30.19% and a net margin of 13.00%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.69 earnings per share.

AZN has been the subject of several other reports. HSBC began coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Monday, December 18th. They issued a “buy” rating for the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered AstraZeneca from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 3rd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered AstraZeneca from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Thursday, February 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley started coverage on AstraZeneca in a report on Tuesday, January 23rd. They set an “overweight” rating for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, three have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $80.00.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

AZN stock opened at $67.45 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $209.12 billion, a PE ratio of 35.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.23 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The business has a 50 day moving average of $65.70 and a 200-day moving average of $65.82. AstraZeneca has a 12-month low of $60.47 and a 12-month high of $76.56.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AstraZeneca

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of AstraZeneca in the second quarter worth $25,000. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Anchor Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its position in AstraZeneca by 4,875.0% during the first quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 398 shares of the company’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA purchased a new stake in AstraZeneca during the fourth quarter valued at about $27,000. 20.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a Semi-Annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, February 23rd were issued a $0.965 dividend. This is a positive change from AstraZeneca’s previous Semi-Annual dividend of $0.47. This represents a dividend yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, February 22nd. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 100.52%.

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.