Q4 EPS Estimates for AstraZeneca Raised by Leerink Partnrs

AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ:AZN) – Investment analysts at Leerink Partnrs raised their Q4 2025 EPS estimates for AstraZeneca in a report released on Monday, April 21st. Leerink Partnrs analyst A. Berens now expects that the company will earn $1.12 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.11. The consensus estimate for AstraZeneca’s current full-year earnings is $4.51 per share. Leerink Partnrs also issued estimates for AstraZeneca’s FY2026 earnings at $5.11 EPS.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on AZN. UBS Group upgraded AstraZeneca from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Morgan Stanley assumed coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Wednesday, February 12th. They issued an “overweight” rating for the company. Finally, BNP Paribas started coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $75.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $86.80.

AstraZeneca Stock Performance

NASDAQ AZN opened at $68.51 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.74. AstraZeneca has a 1-year low of $61.24 and a 1-year high of $87.68. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $72.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $70.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $212.46 billion, a PE ratio of 30.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.42 and a beta of 0.49.

AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 6th. The company reported $1.05 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.10 by ($0.05). AstraZeneca had a net margin of 13.01% and a return on equity of 32.23%.

Institutional Trading of AstraZeneca

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cibc World Markets Corp increased its stake in AstraZeneca by 1.1% in the 4th quarter. Cibc World Markets Corp now owns 12,901 shares of the company’s stock worth $845,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the period. Diversify Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of AstraZeneca by 3.6% during the fourth quarter. Diversify Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,402 shares of the company’s stock worth $295,000 after acquiring an additional 153 shares during the period. CoreCap Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of AstraZeneca by 31.8% during the fourth quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC now owns 642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares in the last quarter. Veery Capital LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 4.7% in the fourth quarter. Veery Capital LLC now owns 3,503 shares of the company’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 157 shares during the period. Finally, Spinnaker Investment Group LLC grew its stake in AstraZeneca by 3.1% in the first quarter. Spinnaker Investment Group LLC now owns 5,754 shares of the company’s stock worth $423,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares in the last quarter. 20.35% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AstraZeneca Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, February 21st were issued a dividend of $1.03 per share. This represents a yield of 2%. This is an increase from AstraZeneca’s previous semi-annual dividend of $0.49. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 21st. AstraZeneca’s dividend payout ratio 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.