Wall Street brokerages predict that AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) will post $6.71 billion in sales for the current fiscal quarter, according to Zacks. Two analysts have made estimates for AstraZeneca’s earnings. AstraZeneca posted sales of $6.42 billion in the same quarter last year, which would indicate a positive year over year growth rate of 4.5%. The firm is scheduled to announce its next quarterly earnings results before the market opens on Friday, February 14th.
According to Zacks, analysts expect that AstraZeneca will report full-year sales of $24.46 billion for the current year, with estimates ranging from $24.43 billion to $24.52 billion. For the next year, analysts forecast that the company will post sales of $26.82 billion, with estimates ranging from $26.41 billion to $27.19 billion. Zacks Investment Research’s sales averages are a mean average based on a survey of research analysts that that provide coverage for AstraZeneca.
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The company reported $0.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.45 by $0.05. AstraZeneca had a net margin of 8.42% and a return on equity of 38.63%. The firm had revenue of $6.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.07 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.71 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 14.8% compared to the same quarter last year.
A number of research firms recently issued reports on AZN. Liberum Capital reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of AstraZeneca in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Leerink Swann initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating and a $57.00 price objective on the stock. Svb Leerink initiated coverage on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Friday, November 22nd. They set an “outperform” rating on the stock. ValuEngine cut shares of AstraZeneca from a “sell” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Cowen reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $55.00 price objective (up previously from $48.00) on shares of AstraZeneca in a research report on Monday, December 2nd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. AstraZeneca currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $50.35.
AstraZeneca stock opened at $50.51 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $132.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 29.20, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 0.46. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $49.35 and its 200 day moving average is $45.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.29. AstraZeneca has a 52-week low of $35.30 and a 52-week high of $51.23.
Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Prime Capital Investment Advisors LLC bought a new position in AstraZeneca during the third quarter valued at $34,000. Allred Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the fourth quarter worth about $43,000. Venturi Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth about $46,000. Simon Quick Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of AstraZeneca by 1,515.0% in the fourth quarter. Simon Quick Advisors LLC now owns 969 shares of the company’s stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 909 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Resources Management Corp CT ADV bought a new position in shares of AstraZeneca in the third quarter worth about $49,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 17.44% of the company’s stock.
AstraZeneca Company Profile
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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