AZN Stock Price Today (May 2026) — AstraZeneca PLC Analysis & Key Metrics 2026-05-21
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is trading at $188.89, up 0.76% today (as of May 2026). The stock continues to show mixed signals with a short-term dip within a broader uptrend, attracting attention from investors looking for Healthcare growth opportunities.
- According to consensus analyst estimates, the 1-year price target is $223.79 (18.5% upside).
- Volatility remains elevated (17.51% annualized), implying wide price swings for short-term traders.
- The fundamental picture, based on the latest financial filings, is nuanced: solid revenue growth (12.50% YoY) alongside significant competitive pressures.
AZN Stock Analysis: Key Metrics & Valuation (May 2026)
Concise, actionable data for investors
AstraZeneca PLC - Historical Price & Volume
Market Cap
Enterprise Value: $312.57B
P/E Ratio
Forward P/E: 23.72
Revenue Growth
Year over Year
Analyst Target
+18.5% upside potential
Key Investor Questions About AZN
What investors need to know before buying
Based on current market data, AZN presents a neutral technical setup with caution warranted fundamentals.
- Technicals say: Neutral (RSI 55.73)
- Fundamentals say: Caution warranted (high leverage concerns)
AZN's growth trajectory depends on its ability to expand within the Drug Manufacturers - General sector while managing margin pressures.
- Future growth will depend on performance in core Drug Manufacturers - General operations.
- The ability to manage competitive pressures will be crucial for sustained growth.
The primary risks for AZN investors include debt exposure and competitive dynamics in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry.
- $34.03B in debt could be a headwind in a high-rate environment.
- Fierce competition from established players in Drug Manufacturers - General.
52-Week Trading Range
Over the past year, AZN stock traded between $132.32 and $212.71—recovering meaningfully from lows and currently near the higher end. Big swings are likely unless a major catalyst emerges.
Volatility & Risk Profile
With 17.51% annualized volatility and β=0.28, the stock exhibits low sensitivity to market moves—making AZN suitable for investors comfortable with active risk management.
Institutional & Insider Ownership
High institutional backing, but elevated short interest signals a potential battleground stock.
Analyst Sentiment & Price Targets
Latest News & Headlines
Recent headlines and coverage
Lilly’s triple-acting obesity drug hits goal in Phase 3 trial
Participants who stayed on the drug lost around one-quarter of their body weight, potentially setting a new benchmark for rivals like Novo Nordisk.
How VEPPANU Approval Frames Expectations For AstraZeneca’s Camizestrant In ESR1 Disease
FDA approves VEPPANU (vepdegestrant), the first PROTAC therapy for ESR1 mutated metastatic breast cancer. Approval sets a new treatment class for a genetic subgroup that has had limited targeted options. AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) is developing Camizestrant, another ESR1 focused therapy, positioning the company in this emerging field. AstraZeneca, through its oncology franchise, is closely linked to this shift toward more precise treatment for hormone receptor positive metastatic breast cancer...
Pfizer Builds Oncology Growth Around Padcev and Pipeline Expansion
PFE bets on Padcev, biosimilars and late-stage pipeline candidates to drive long-term oncology growth amid pressure on legacy drugs.
Big Pharma is gambling on specialized R&D. Will it pay off?
Large pharma companies are taking bigger swings on fewer targets, which can be a risky strategy.
GLP-1 Drug Giants Race to Go Global With Their Obesity Pills: ETFs to Gain
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are accelerating global obesity pill launches as rising GLP-1 demand puts weight-loss ETFs in focus.
Update: Big Pharma Firms Denied Certiorari by Supreme Court in Medicare Pricing Case
(Updates with Novo Nordisk's response in the fourth and fifth paragraphs.) The US Supreme Court o
AstraZeneca’s New FDA Wins Raise Questions On Growth And Valuation
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo received FDA approval for Enhertu in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, based on two phase 3 studies. The FDA also approved Baxfendy (baxdrostat) as the first aldosterone synthase inhibitor for treatment-resistant hypertension. These decisions expand AstraZeneca’s oncology and cardiovascular portfolios and introduce new treatment options in early breast cancer and uncontrolled hypertension. AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN)...
AZN, Daiichi's Enhertu Gets FDA Nod for Two New Breast Cancer Settings
AstraZeneca and Daiichi win FDA approval for Enhertu in two new HER2-positive early breast cancer treatment settings.
Cancer Stocks That Are Advancing the Future of Oncology Care
Oncology innovation is accelerating as AI, immunotherapy and targeted drugs drive growth for cancer-focused biotech and pharma stocks.
AstraZeneca Gets FDA Nod for New Hypertension Drug Baxfendy
AZN's Baxfendy wins FDA nod as the first aldosterone synthase inhibitor for adults with uncontrolled hypertension.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common investor questions about AstraZeneca PLC
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is currently trading at $188.89. The RSI (14-day) is at 55.7, indicating neutral territory. Wall Street analysts have a consensus "strong_buy" recommendation. The mean analyst price target of $223.79 implies 18.5% upside from current levels. Volatility is low at 17.5% annualized, meaning price movements are relatively contained. Investors should consider their risk tolerance, investment horizon, and portfolio diversification before making a decision.
Based on current valuation metrics for AstraZeneca PLC (AZN): The trailing P/E ratio is 27.86, which is in line with broader market averages. The forward P/E is 23.72, lower than the trailing P/E, suggesting analysts expect earnings improvement. The PEG ratio is 1.53, near 1.0, suggesting roughly fair value relative to growth. Price-to-Book is 6.05. Price-to-Sales is 4.74. Valuation should be compared to Drug Manufacturers - General industry peers for context, as different sectors trade at different multiples.
Based on 10 analysts covering AZN, the consensus price target is $223.79. This represents a 18.5% upside from the current price of $188.89. The range spans from a low target of $184.00 to a high target of $243.00, reflecting varying levels of optimism among analysts. The consensus recommendation is "strong_buy". Note: Analyst price targets are forward-looking estimates and not guarantees of future performance.
Yes, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) pays a dividend with a current yield of approximately 1.69%. The annualized dividend rate is $3.20 per share. The payout ratio is 47.7%, which is conservative and suggests the dividend is well-covered by earnings with room for future increases. The most recent ex-dividend date was 2026-02-20.
Key risks for AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) investors include: 1. Elevated short interest (11.0% of float) suggests significant bearish sentiment. 2. Broader market and macroeconomic risks (interest rates, inflation, geopolitical events). 3. Drug Manufacturers - General sector-specific competitive pressures. Investors should diversify and consider their risk tolerance before investing.
Here is AstraZeneca PLC's (AZN) current debt and financial health profile: Total debt stands at $34.03B. The debt-to-equity ratio is 71.82, which is moderate and generally manageable for most companies. The current ratio is 0.91, which is below 1.0 and may indicate short-term liquidity concerns. The quick ratio is 0.70. The company holds $7.67B in cash and equivalents. Free cash flow is positive at $6.54B, providing a cushion for debt servicing and shareholder returns.