AstraZeneca's stock closed higher on Friday, with its New York-listed shares rising 3.1% to $193.03, while its London shares gained 0.9% to 14,104 pence. The pharmaceutical giant is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results on Tuesday, February 10.
Investor Focus on Forward Guidance
Market attention is centered on the company's 2026 outlook, with analysts anticipating 2025 revenue of $58.6 billion, representing an 8.4% increase, and operating profit of $18.3 billion, up 7.7%. Hargreaves Lansdown analysts emphasized that "guidance for 2026 and beyond" represents the crucial test, noting investors seek "assurance needed on future targets." The company has previously established an ambitious $80 billion revenue goal for 2030.
Regulatory Developments and Pipeline Updates
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a complete response letter regarding the subcutaneous version of Saphnelo, AstraZeneca's lupus treatment, potentially delaying approval until the first half of 2026. Saphnelo generated $483 million in the first nine months of 2025.
In more positive regulatory news, the FDA granted Priority Review to Datroway, developed with Daiichi Sankyo, as a first-line treatment for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. This status accelerates the review timeline, with a decision expected in the second quarter of 2026. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency's CHMP committee endorsed Imfinzi for early-stage gastric and gastroesophageal cancers.
Strategic Shifts and Market Positioning
AstraZeneca recently transitioned its primary U.S. listing to the New York Stock Exchange, harmonizing its listings across New York, London, and Stockholm. Chair Michel Demaré described this as "the start of an exciting new period" for the company.
The upcoming earnings report and subsequent investor webcast will provide critical insights into the company's growth trajectory, profitability targets, and pipeline development. With the stock rallying ahead of the announcement, market reaction will likely hinge on the strength of 2026 guidance and updates on key regulatory pathways.