Jefferies keeps Buy rating for AstraZeneca stock at GBp 17,500
Published on 10/09/2026 at 11:09 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWSKey points in brief
- Jefferies maintained a Buy rating and a GBp 17,500 price target for AstraZeneca on October 7, 2026.
- AstraZeneca reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of USD 15.38 billion, up 6.40 percent year over year.
- The Lang & Schwarz price was EUR 141.88 on October 9, 2026, up 0.20 percent versus the prior close.
- AstraZeneca lists on the LSE under ticker AZN, with third-quarter results scheduled for October 30, 2026.
AstraZeneca stock (ISIN GB0009895292) was trading at EUR 141.88 at Lang & Schwarz on October 9, 2026 at 11:05 a.m. CEST, up 0.20 percent versus the prior close of EUR 141.60. On October 7, 2026, Yahoo Finance reported that Jefferies maintained a Buy rating and a GBp 17,500 price target for AstraZeneca.
Jefferies sees room above expectations
Jefferies expects AstraZeneca core earnings before interest and tax in the third quarter of 2026 to be 3.00 percent above expectations, according to the October 7 report. The broker also expects third-quarter revenue to exceed consensus and the company to reiterate its 2026 guidance.
The rating comes with a counter-factor: Jefferies cited faster US Farxiga sales erosion and softer Lynparza volumes. That combination makes pipeline execution important as the company approaches its next results date.
What the next quarter requires
AstraZeneca generated USD 15.38 billion of revenue in the second quarter of 2026, up 6.40 percent year over year, while diluted earnings per share were USD 1.61, according to the latest standardized financial data. The revenue comparison is positive, but the earnings figure is lower than the USD 1.97 reported for the first quarter of 2026.
Three dated company milestones
On September 28, 2026, AstraZeneca announced a USD 2.00 billion investment in Summit Therapeutics, according to The Wall Street Journal. On July 27, 2026, AstraZeneca reported second-quarter revenue of USD 15.38 billion and adjusted earnings per share of USD 2.63 against consensus of USD 2.50, according to MarketBeat. On October 7, 2026, Jefferies kept its Buy rating and GBp 17,500 target, with core earnings before interest and tax forecast 3.00 percent above expectations.
Upcoming dates carry the next test
AstraZeneca lists a Meet the Management event at ASBMR for October 12, 2026, followed by an ESMO event on October 26, 2026. The company is scheduled to publish third-quarter 2026 results on October 30, 2026, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Stock stays below its yearly range
The primary US quote was USD 158.78 on October 8, 2026, while its 52-week range was USD 153.41 to USD 212.71. AstraZeneca had a market capitalization of USD 246.2 billion as of October 8, 2026, giving the euro quote a broader valuation context without mixing currencies.
The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of AstraZeneca stock.
AstraZeneca stock facts
- Company: AstraZeneca PLC
- ISIN: GB0009895292
- Ticker: AZN
- Primary exchange: LSE
- Price Lang & Schwarz (as of October 9, 2026, 11:05 a.m. CEST): EUR 141.88
- Change versus prior close: plus 0.20 percent
- Prior close Lang & Schwarz (October 8, 2026): EUR 141.60
- Market capitalization: USD 246.2 billion (as of October 8, 2026)
- 52-week range: USD 153.41-212.71 (as of October 8, 2026)
- Sector / Industry: Health Care / Pharmaceuticals
- Index membership: FTSE 100
- Next earnings date: October 30, 2026
Market context: Market report FTSE 100.
