Jefferies keeps Buy rating for AstraZeneca stock at GBp 17,500

Published on 10/08/2026 at 11:53 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Jefferies sees core earnings before interest and tax 3.00 percent above expectations. AstraZeneca stock costs EUR 142.23 on October 8, 2026 versus EUR 143.03.

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AstraZeneca (ISIN GB0009895292) was trading at EUR 142.23 at Lang & Schwarz on October 8, 2026 at 11:44 a.m. CEST, minus 0.56 percent versus the prior close of EUR 143.03. According to Yahoo Finance on October 7, 2026, Jefferies maintained a Buy rating and a GBp 17,500 price target for AstraZeneca.

Jefferies sees earnings upside

The target represented 46.00 percent potential upside from the GBp 11,958 share price cited in the analyst report. That comparison uses the London quotation in pence and is separate from the EUR 142.23 Lang & Schwarz reference price.

Jefferies expects AstraZeneca's third-quarter revenue to exceed Visible Alpha consensus and core earnings before interest and tax to stand 3.00 percent above expectations. The broker also expects the company to reiterate its 2026 guidance, while pointing to faster erosion in US Farxiga sales and softer Lynparza volumes as counter-factors.

Second-quarter revenue grew

finanzen.ch reported that AstraZeneca's quarter ended June 30, 2026 produced revenue of GBP 11.46 billion, up 5.84 percent from GBP 10.83 billion in the year-earlier quarter. Earnings per share reached GBP 1.20, compared with GBP 1.18 in the prior-year quarter.

The latest reported figures give the analyst view a measurable operating base. Revenue growth was positive year over year, while Jefferies' 3.00 percent earnings comparison is a forecast against expectations rather than a reported result.

Results date remains ahead

The same finanzen.ch report places AstraZeneca's third-quarter 2026 results date at October 30, 2026. That date gives the current analyst thesis a near-term test: revenue performance, core earnings and the status of 2026 guidance will be assessed together.

Quote remains below prior close

AstraZeneca was trading at EUR 142.23 at Lang & Schwarz on October 8, 2026 at 11:44 a.m. CEST, down 0.56 percent from the Lang & Schwarz prior close of EUR 143.03. AstraZeneca's market capitalization was USD 248.3 billion as of October 7, 2026.

The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of AstraZeneca stock.