If you’ve been watching AstraZeneca shares lately, you’re not alone — the pharma giant regularly tops UK investor watchlists, and recent analyst activity has traders watching the spread between targets and current price with fresh interest. Here’s what the numbers actually say, and what it means for your next move.

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Previous Close: 13,948.00 · Day’s Range: 13,512.00 – 13,810.00 · 52-Week Range: 9,651.00 – 15,732.00 · Market Cap: £209.55bn · Volume: 1,580,341

Quick snapshot

1Live Price Snapshot
2Key Ranges
3Analyst Consensus
4Upside Potential
  • 18.61% upside to median target (Investors Chronicle)
  • High target shows 47.4% upside possible (Investors Chronicle)
  • But low target implies -52.8% downside risk (Investors Chronicle)
Metric Value
Ticker AZN.L
Exchange LSE
Previous Close 13,948.00p
52-Week High 15,732.00
Market Cap £209.55bn
Median Analyst Target 16,403.50 GBp

Is it a good time to buy AstraZeneca shares?

The analyst picture is genuinely split. According to Investors Chronicle, 23 analysts offering 12-month price targets have a median target of 16,403.50 GBp — that represents 18.61% upside from the last observed price of 13,830.00 GBp. However, the spread between the highest and lowest targets is striking: the high target of 20,380.42 GBp implies 47.4% upside, while the low target of 6,525.70 GBp signals potential downside of -52.8%.

Current Valuation Metrics

  • AstraZeneca trades at 20.4 times forward earnings, 4.6% above sector average (Motley Fool UK)
  • The PEG ratio sits around 1.6, 14.3% less than the sector average — suggesting moderate growth priced in (Motley Fool UK)
  • TipRanks reports the average analyst price target across 3 months at 16,330.86 GBp, with a high of 18,000.00p and low of 10,500.00p (TipRanks)

Analyst Buy Ratings

TipRanks shows AZN has received 43 Buy ratings, 2 Hold ratings, and 7 Sell ratings in the current period (TipRanks). The consensus rating is Moderate Buy based on 10 buy ratings, 2 hold ratings, and 1 sell rating from the broader analyst community. However, Intellectia.AI notes Deutsche Bank maintained a Sell rating on AstraZeneca on March 27, 2026 with a price target of £115, representing a notably bearish view compared to the consensus.

The trade-off

For UK investors, the spread between analyst targets (6,525.70 GBp low vs 20,380.42 GBp high) means conviction matters more than consensus. Risk-off investors should note that Deutsche Bank’s £115 target implies the current price already bakes in optimistic assumptions.

The implication: AZN attracts more buy-side enthusiasm than sell-side caution, but the valuation leaves little room for disappointment on clinical catalysts or revenue growth.

What is the target price for AstraZeneca?

According to Investing.com UK, the consensus rating for AstraZeneca is Buy based on 20 buy recommendations, 1 sell, and 3 hold from 21 analysts. The consensus target implies analysts see the share price approaching fair value, with estimates running around 2% above the current price.

Analyst Consensus Targets

  • Investing.com UK consensus: Buy rating (20 analysts)
  • TipRanks average target: 16,330.86 GBp (TipRanks)
  • Investors Chronicle median: 16,403.50 GBp (Investors Chronicle)
  • Fintel average one-year target: 15,574.97 GBX with a range from 6,678.56 to 21,525.00 GBX (Fintel)
  • TradingView target: 16,466.63 GBX with max 20,474.97 GBX and min 11,485.96 GBX (TradingView)

Upside Potential

Simply Wall St reports Guggenheim lifted AstraZeneca’s price target to £160.00, with Citi and Morgan Stanley also increasing their London-based targets (Simply Wall St). Morgan Stanley has specifically assigned an Overweight rating with a price target of £137 per share representing approximately 9% upside (TipRanks). The highest target observed from MarketBeat data shows £180 across six analysts’ twelve-month targets that average £153.33 (MarketBeat).

Why this matters

UK investors tracking AZN.L should note the range between Guggenheim’s £160 target and Deutsche Bank’s £115 sell target spans 39% — larger than many UK large-caps, reflecting genuine disagreement on AstraZeneca’s pipeline value and generic erosion risk.

The pattern: major US investment banks (Morgan Stanley, Guggenheim, Citi) cluster around £137-160 while European houses show wider dispersion, suggesting transatlantic divergence on how to value AstraZeneca’s oncology growth story against its cardiovascular headwinds.

What are the highest AstraZeneca shares have been?

AstraZeneca hit a 52-week high of 15,732.00 on February 18, 2026, according to Motley Fool UK data. The 52-week low of 9,651.00 arrived on May 12, 2025, giving the stock a 63% intra-year range — wider than typical for a large-cap pharmaceutical name.

All-Time Highs

Macrotrends tracks 33 years of AstraZeneca stock price history (Motley Fool UK), showing the current price at 13,512.00 sits below both the 52-week high and the analyst median target of 16,403.50 GBp. The market cap stands at £209.55bn, making AZN one of the largest constituents on the London Stock Exchange by pharma sector weighting.

Recent 52-Week Peak

The February 18, 2026 high of 15,732.00 came amid positive sentiment around the company’s Phase III efzimfotase alfa trial results announced March 31, 2026, which involved 196 patients across 22 countries (Intellectia.AI). The subsequent pullback to current levels around 13,512.00 suggests investors took profits after the catalyst event rather than holding for the full target re-rating.

The catch: AstraZeneca’s all-time highs have been driven by specific pipeline events rather than steady earnings growth, meaning the 52-week peak may not represent a sustainable valuation floor.

Why is AstraZeneca’s share price so high?

AstraZeneca’s elevated valuation stems from two structural drivers: its oncology franchise and its emerging markets expansion strategy. The cancer medicine sales figure of $7.03 billion in Q4 — a 20% year-over-year rise per Investing.com UK — anchors the bull case, while the PEG ratio of 1.6 (below sector average) suggests reasonable growth pricing relative to peers.

Key Drivers

  • Oncology growth: Cancer medicine sales rose 20% in Q4 to $7.03 billion (Investing.com UK)
  • Revenue guidance: AstraZeneca expects total revenue to increase by mid- to high-single-digit percentage at constant exchange rates in 2026 (Investing.com UK)
  • Core profit growth: Expected to rise by low double-digit percentage in 2026 (Investing.com UK)
  • Phase III catalyst: Positive efzimfotase alfa results from 196 patients across 22 countries (Intellectia.AI)

Market Factors

The Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten noted the 2026 outlook points to potential 3-4 percentage point upgrades to revenue forecasts (Investing.com UK). However, AstraZeneca reported core operating profit of $4.10 billion, missing analyst expectations of $4.45 billion — a 7.9% miss that initially pressured the stock. Cardiovascular treatment revenue declined 6% in Q4 to $3.05 billion, partly due to generic competition, which remains a structural headwind per Investing.com UK.

The catch

The core operating profit miss ($4.10 billion vs $4.45 billion expected) and cardiovascular decline (-6%) reveal the bear case: oncology growth is masking erosion in legacy products. If the cancer franchise slows, AstraZeneca’s premium valuation loses its foundation.

The implication: for UK investors, the price premium reflects oncology optionality — but that bet depends on continued trial success and pricing power in global markets.

What’s going on with the AstraZeneca share price now?

The current price of 13,512.00 represents a decline from the previous close of 13,948.00, with intraday trading between 13,512.00 and 13,810.00. Volume of 1,580,341 shares indicates moderate trading activity for a stock that typically trades 3-5 million shares daily.

Latest News

Morgan Stanley analysts stated Q4 AstraZeneca results were good enough, with mid-point guidance pointing to approximately 2% upgrade to Street revenue estimates (Investing.com UK). Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten added that the 2026 outlook should drive consensus revenues higher, though core EPS likely remains unchanged — a nuance that explains the mixed price reaction.

Recent Movements

According to Motley Fool UK, analysts believe the AstraZeneca share price is approaching fair value, with consensus running approximately 2% above the current price. The HICKORY trial for efzimfotase alfa missed the primary mobility endpoint in adults but showed meaningful functional gains in pediatric-onset subgroups — a mixed read-through that likely contributed to the recent price softness.

Bottom line: The trade-off: for short-term traders, the 13,512.00 price sits below both the 52-week high (15,732.00) and the analyst median (16,403.50 GBp), creating a technical argument for accumulation — but the analyst dispersion suggests fundamentals alone won’t push the price higher without a positive catalyst.

Upsides

  • Oncology sales up 20% in Q4 to $7.03 billion
  • 43 Buy ratings vs 7 Sell ratings on TipRanks
  • 18.61% upside to median analyst target of 16,403.50 GBp
  • Phase III efzimfotase alfa success in pediatric subgroups
  • Revenue guidance of mid- to high-single-digit growth for 2026
  • Trading below 52-week high — potential entry point

Downsides

  • Core operating profit missed expectations ($4.10B vs $4.45B expected)
  • Cardiovascular revenue declined 6% due to generic competition
  • Low analyst target of 6,525.70 GBp implies -52.8% downside risk
  • Deutsche Bank maintained Sell rating with £115 target
  • PEG ratio of 1.6 prices in continued growth expectations
  • HICKORY trial missed primary endpoint in adults

Price Timeline

Three data points tell AZN’s recent story: the 52-week high of 15,732.00 on February 18, 2026, the 52-week low of 9,651.00 on May 12, 2025, and the current price around 13,512.00. The stock has recovered 29% from its low but remains 14% below its peak.

Date Event
May 12, 2025 52-week low at 9,651.00
February 18, 2026 52-week high at 15,732.00
March 31, 2026 Positive Phase III efzimfotase alfa results (196 patients, 22 countries)
Recent Price at 13,512.00 after pullback from 52-week high

The timeline signal: AstraZeneca has demonstrated volatility above typical large-cap pharma ranges, suggesting the market is actively repricing pipeline events rather than treating the stock as a stable income vehicle.

Clarity on AZN

Bottom line: AstraZeneca’s analyst consensus tilts bullish (43 Buy ratings, 18.61% upside to median target), but the -52.8% downside risk on the low target means the bull case isn’t unanimous. UK growth investors: the oncology franchise and analyst upgrades support accumulation toward 16,403.50 GBp. UK value investors: Deutsche Bank’s £115 target and the cardiovascular decline argue for waiting.

Confirmed facts

  • Live prices from Investing.com UK, TipRanks, and Investors Chronicle show current trading around 13,512.00
  • The 52-week range spans 9,651.00 (low) to 15,732.00 (high)
  • Cancer medicine sales reached $7.03 billion in Q4, up 20% year-over-year
  • Analyst ratings show 43 Buy vs 7 Sell on TipRanks
  • Phase III efzimfotase alfa trial involved 196 patients across 22 countries

What’s unclear

  • Whether the efzimfotase alfa pediatric success translates to adult label expansion
  • If the HICKORY trial data supports FDA filing despite the primary endpoint miss in adults
  • How much cardiovascular generic erosion will accelerate through 2026
  • Whether AstraZeneca’s 2026 revenue guidance of mid-single-digit growth is conservative or aggressive

What analysts are saying

“The 2026 outlook should drive consensus revenues higher, but core EPS likely unchanged.”

— Jefferies analyst Michael Leuchten, commentary via Investing.com UK

“Q4 AstraZeneca results were good enough, with mid-point guidance pointing to approximately 2% upgrade to Street revenue estimates.”

— Morgan Stanley analysts, commentary via Investing.com UK

“Analysts believe the AstraZeneca share price is approaching fair value, with consensus approximately 2% above current price.”

— Motley Fool UK analysis

The analyst picture confirms what the price chart shows: AstraZeneca occupies the awkward middle ground between “clearly undervalued” and “obviously overvalued.” The 43 Buy ratings from TipRanks signal institutional confidence, but the core EPS unchanged guidance from Jefferies tempers enthusiasm for near-term multiple expansion.

For UK investors weighing AZN.L, the choice is sharpening: buy into oncology momentum with analyst upgrades as support, or wait for a clearer signal on cardiovascular stabilization. The 18.61% upside to median target is attractive — but the -52.8% downside risk on the low estimate means position sizing matters more than conviction.

Related reading: Current Pound to Dollar Exchange Rate

Additional sources

uk.investing.com, marketscreener.com, danelfin.com

AstraZeneca’s 18.6% upside potential resonates across the LSE healthcare space, where Tissue Regenix share price draws similar speculative interest from investors.

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Frequently asked questions

Is AstraZeneca a good long-term investment?

Based on analyst consensus, AstraZeneca shows long-term promise given its 43 Buy ratings and oncology growth trajectory. Cancer medicine sales rose 20% in Q4 to $7.03 billion, and the company guides for mid- to high-single-digit revenue growth in 2026. However, the cardiovascular decline (-6%) and generic erosion risk require monitoring. TipRanks shows 10 buy ratings, 2 hold ratings, and 1 sell rating for a Moderate Buy consensus.

Is AstraZeneca a good buy right now?

The current price of 13,512.00 sits below both the 52-week high (15,732.00) and the analyst median target (16,403.50 GBp), suggesting potential upside. However, Deutsche Bank’s Sell rating with a £115 target and the core operating profit miss ($4.10B vs $4.45B expected) create a counterargument. The decision depends on whether you weight the 18.61% consensus upside higher than the -52.8% downside risk on the bearish target.

Who is the biggest shareholder of AstraZeneca?

This article focuses on price dynamics. For major shareholder information, the London Stock Exchange disclosures and AstraZeneca’s annual report provide definitive registry data beyond the scope of this price-focused analysis.

Why is AstraZeneca share price falling today?

Recent weakness likely stems from profit-taking after the 52-week high of 15,732.00 on February 18, 2026, combined with the HICKORY trial missing its primary endpoint in adults and the core operating profit miss ($4.10B vs $4.45B expected). Cardiovascular decline of 6% due to generic competition adds structural headwind pressure.

What is AstraZeneca share price history?

AstraZeneca’s 33-year stock history tracked by Macrotrends shows the current price of 13,512.00 significantly above historical averages for this mega-cap pharma. The 52-week range spans from a low of 9,651.00 (May 12, 2025) to a high of 15,732.00 (February 18, 2026), with a market cap of £209.55bn.

AstraZeneca share price prediction?

Analyst targets range from 6,525.70 GBp (Deutsche Bank, -52.8% downside) to 20,380.42 GBp (high target, 47.4% upside). The median target of 16,403.50 GBp implies 18.61% upside. TipRanks average target over 3 months sits at 16,330.86 GBp. No prediction is guaranteed — the spread reflects genuine uncertainty on pipeline value versus generic erosion.