29th Apr 2026 09:17
(Alliance News) - AstraZeneca PLC on Wednesday reported better-than-expected first-quarter revenue and profit, and flagged the potential for its drugs pipeline amid numerous positive trial findings and regulatory approvals.
The Cambridge-based pharmaceuticals company said pretax profit increased 15% to USD3.91 billion in the three months to March 31 from USD3.40 billion the year prior, while diluted earnings per share improved 5.3% to USD1.97 from USD1.87.
Core operating profit rose 11% to USD5.35 billion from USD4.80 billion, or by 12% at constant exchange rates, ahead of Visible Alpha consensus of USD5.20 billion. Core EPS rose 3.6% to USD2.58 from USD2.49 on-year, or by 5% at CER, in line with consensus.
Revenue rose 13% to USD15.29 billion from USD13.59 billion a year ago, or by 8% at CER, ahead of VA consensus USD14.81 billion.
Cost of sales rose 20% to USD2.68 billion from USD2.24 billion, with research & developments expenses up 11% at USD3.49 billion from USD3.16 billion.
The FTSE 100 listing said growth was supported by double-digit gains in Oncology and Rare Disease, and progress in its late-stage pipeline with multiple positive trial readouts and regulatory approvals.
AstraZeneca highlighted 14 approvals alone in major regions since fourth quarter results.
Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said AstraZeneca delivered "strong growth" and is "advancing through our catalyst‑rich period, with positive readouts for four high-value Phase III programmes since our last quarterly results."
AstraZeneca plans a total dividend of USD3.30 per share for 2026, up from USD3.20 a year before, and said it remains on track to meet its 2030 targets.
The group continues to expect revenue to grow by a mid-to-high single-digit percentage in 2026, with core earnings per share seen rising by a low double-digit percentage.
In 2025, the firm reported revenue of USD58.74 billion and core EPS of USD9.16.
By division, Oncology product revenue rose 16%, Cardiovascular, Renal & Metabolism sales fell 7%, Respiratory & Immunology grew 7%, Infectious Disease fell 22%, and Rare Disease climbed 15%, all at CER.
Shares in AstraZeneca eased 1.0% to 13,756.00 pence each in London on Wednesday morning.
By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter
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