Bull case
AZN would need investors to value it at roughly 27x earnings — about 10x more generous than today's 17x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where AZN stock could go
AZN would need investors to value it at roughly 27x earnings — about 10x more generous than today's 17x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 21x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 4x multiple contraction could push AZN down roughly 23% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines across multiple therapeutic areas. It generates revenue primarily from oncology drugs (~40% of total revenue), cardiovascular/renal/metabolism treatments (~30%), and respiratory/immunology products, with the remainder from rare diseases and vaccines. The company's competitive advantage lies in its robust R&D pipeline—particularly in oncology and biologics—and its global commercial infrastructure that spans both developed and emerging markets.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $2.18/$2.16 | +0.9% | $14.5B/$14.8B | -2.1% |
| Q4 2025 | $2.38/$2.29 | +3.9% | $15.2B/$15.4B | -1.5% |
| Q1 2026 | $2.12/$2.18 | -2.8% | $15.5B/$15.4B | +0.4% |
| Q2 2026 | $2.58/$2.57 | +0.4% | $15.3B/$14.9B | +2.4% |
AZN beat EPS estimates in 3 of 4 tracked quarters. A strong delivery record supports forward estimate credibility.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
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Latest annual revenue by reported region
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Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $136 — implies -22.2% from today's price.
| Metric | AZN | S&P 500 | Healthcare | 5Y Avg AZN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 17.0x | 18.8x | 18.3x | — |
| Trailing PE | 26.7x | 24.4x | 22.1x+21% | 46.1x-42% |
| PEG Ratio | 1.23x | 1.66x-26% | 1.59x-23% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 15.2x | 15.2x | 14.2x | 22.2x-32% |
| Price/FCF | 23.1x | 20.7x+11% | 18.5x+24% | 31.3x-26% |
| Price/Sales | 4.6x | 3.1x+49% | 2.6x+75% | 4.4x |
| Dividend Yield | 1.86% | 1.91% | 1.50% | 2.13% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolAZN generates $9.1B in free cash flow at a 15.1% margin — 14.9% ROIC signals a durable competitive advantage · returns 2.1% of market cap to shareholders annually.
Revenue, margins, and cash generation
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
~2.6 years to full repayment at current FCF run-rate
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. ROIC uses invested capital (equity + net debt).
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
AZN trades at a 24% premium to sector median P/E, suggesting potential overvaluation risk if growth fails to meet expectations.
The company's ambitious $80bn revenue target by 2030 carries significant execution risk, particularly given the reliance on oncology and rare disease pipelines.
Heavy dependence on oncology and rare disease segments for future growth creates vulnerability to clinical setbacks or competitive pressures.
Low beta (0.22) indicates defensive characteristics, but may limit upside during market rallies compared to higher-growth peers.
Net margins of 17.2% could face pressure from R&D costs and pricing pressures in key therapeutic areas.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated June 17, 2026
AstraZeneca reported 11% year-over-year growth to $7.03 billion last quarter, driven by a diverse portfolio of high-quality assets.
The company has transformed into a high-growth oncology and rare disease powerhouse, with standout performers like Tagrisso and Imfinzi.
Growth is not reliant on a single product but supported by multiple high-performing assets, reducing dependency risk.
AstraZeneca has successfully navigated past patent cliffs and reinvented itself as a resilient, high-growth biopharmaceutical leader.
With operations in 70 countries and a strong international footprint, AstraZeneca benefits from diversified revenue streams.
The company's robust R&D efforts, from drug discovery to clinical trials, ensure a continuous pipeline of innovative medicines.
AstraZeneca's structural bedrock and cash-generative assets position it for sustained financial performance and growth.
Analysts rate AZN as a buy with high confidence, projecting significant upside potential to $235+.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZN AZN AstraZeneca PLC | $271.2B | 17.0x | +7.1% | 17.2% | Buy | +6.7% |
PFE PFE Pfizer Inc. | $143.5B | 8.5x | 0.0% | 11.8% | Hold | +6.1% |
MRK MRK Merck & Co., Inc. | $281.2B | 22.2x | +4.2% | 28.1% | Buy | +15.6% |
LLY LLY Eli Lilly and Company | $1.04T | 30.0x | +15.1% | 35.0% | Buy | +15.8% |
BMY BMY Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | $110.3B | 8.5x | +1.0% | 15.0% | Hold | +15.9% |
ABB ABBV AbbVie Inc. | $383.2B | 15.2x | +8.7% | 6.9% | Buy | +18.6% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
AZN returns 2.1% total yield, led by a 1.86% dividend.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2.17 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $3.16 | +6.3% | 0.3% | 2.1% |
| 2024 | $2.97 | +2.4% | 0.0% | 2.3% |
| 2023 | $2.90 | -0.1% | 0.0% | 2.1% |
| 2022 | $2.90 | +2.2% | 0.0% | 2.1% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is rated Buy by Wall Street analysts as of 2026. Of 41 analysts covering the stock, 20 rate it Buy or Strong Buy, 15 rate it Hold, and 6 rate it Sell or Strong Sell. The consensus 12-month price target is $187, implying +6.7% from the current price of $175. The bear case scenario is $135 and the bull case is $282.
The Wall Street consensus price target for AZN is $187 based on 41 analyst estimates. The high-end target is $216 (+23.5% from today), and the low-end target is $158 (-9.7%). The base case model target is $214.
AZN trades at 17.0x times forward earnings. The stock's valuation is broadly in line with the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals expensive versus peers. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for AZN in 2026 are: (1) Growth execution risk — The company's ambitious $80bn revenue target by 2030 carries significant execution risk, particularly given the reliance on oncology and rare disease pipelines. (2) Valuation premium — AZN trades at a 24% premium to sector median P/E, suggesting potential overvaluation risk if growth fails to meet expectations. (3) Pipeline concentration — Heavy dependence on oncology and rare disease segments for future growth creates vulnerability to clinical setbacks or competitive pressures. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates AZN will report consensus revenue of $64.7B (+7.1% year-over-year) and EPS of $7.47 (+12.3% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $68.2B in revenue.
AstraZeneca PLC is expected to report its next earnings on approximately 2026-07-27. Consensus expects EPS of $2.22 and revenue of $15.5B. Over recent quarters, AZN has beaten EPS estimates 83% of the time.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) generated $9.1B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 15.1%. AZN returns capital to shareholders through dividends (1.9% yield) and share repurchases ($720M TTM).