Equities research analysts predict that AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) will announce $0.50 earnings per share for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Two analysts have provided estimates for AstraZeneca’s earnings, with estimates ranging from $0.47 to $0.52. AstraZeneca posted earnings of $0.79 per share in the same quarter last year, which indicates a negative year over year growth rate of 36.7%. The business is scheduled to issue its next quarterly earnings report before the market opens on Friday, February 14th.
On average, analysts expect that AstraZeneca will report full year earnings of $1.81 per share for the current financial year, with EPS estimates ranging from $1.77 to $1.83. For the next financial year, analysts expect that the business will post earnings of $2.08 per share, with EPS estimates ranging from $1.96 to $2.24. Zacks’ earnings per share calculations are an average based on a survey of sell-side analysts that cover AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $0.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the Zacks’ consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $6.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.07 billion. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 8.42% and a return on equity of 38.63%. AstraZeneca’s revenue was up 14.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.71 earnings per share.
A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Liberum Capital reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. ValuEngine downgraded shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Leerink Swann initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Friday, November 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $57.00 price target on the stock. Zacks Investment Research lowered shares of AstraZeneca from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $49.00 price objective for the company. in a research report on Thursday, October 3rd. Finally, Cowen reissued an “outperform” rating and issued a $55.00 price objective (up previously from $48.00) on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. AstraZeneca presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $50.35.
NYSE:AZN traded up $0.82 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $51.33. 2,685,884 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,270,615. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 0.92 and a quick ratio of 0.70. The firm has a market cap of $134.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.67, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.46. AstraZeneca has a 52-week low of $35.30 and a 52-week high of $51.55. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $49.40 and a 200 day simple moving average of $45.70.
Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. Manchester Financial Inc. acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth $42,000. Allred Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 4th quarter worth $43,000. Simon Quick Advisors LLC grew its holdings in AstraZeneca by 1,515.0% during the 4th quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 969 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after acquiring an additional 909 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Venturi Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in AstraZeneca during the 3rd quarter worth $46,000. 17.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca PLC discovers, develops, and commercializes prescription medicines in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, respiratory, autoimmunity, infection, neuroscience, and gastroenterology worldwide. Its marketed products include Arimidex, Casodex/Cosudex, Calquence, Faslodex, Imfinzi, Iressa, Lynparza, Nolvadex, Tagrisso, and Zoladex for oncology diseases; Atacand1/Atacand HCT/Atacand Plus, Brilinta/Brilique, Crestor, Plendil, Seloken/Toprol-XL, Tenormin, and Zestril for cardiovascular diseases; and Bydureon, Byetta, Farxiga/Forxiga, Kombiglyze XR, Komboglyze, Onglyza, Qtern, Symlin, Xigduo, and Xigduo XR for metabolic diseases.
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