Zacks Analyst Blog Features Oracle, AstraZeneca, Shopify, and Blue Ridge Bankshares
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Sep 12 2025
0mins
Should l Buy AZN?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: The Zacks Equity Research team featured stocks including Oracle Corp., AstraZeneca PLC, Shopify Inc., and Blue Ridge Bankshares, providing insights into their recent performance and market impact.
Oracle's Strong Performance: Oracle reported a 12% year-over-year revenue increase, driven by a 28% growth in cloud revenue, and a significant surge in remaining performance obligations, indicating strong future demand.
AstraZeneca's Growth Prospects: AstraZeneca's diverse product portfolio and strong pipeline are expected to drive revenue growth, despite challenges such as potential sales declines in certain markets and competition from generics.
Shopify's Merchant Growth: Shopify's recent performance benefited from an expanding merchant base and new tools, although it faced gross margin pressures due to increased costs and changes in its service offerings.
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Analyst Views on AZN
Wall Street analysts forecast AZN stock price to rise
14 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
0 Hold
1 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 194.990
Low
157.61
Averages
213.64
High
252.18
Current: 194.990
Low
157.61
Averages
213.64
High
252.18
About AZN
AstraZeneca PLC is a United Kingdom-based science-led biopharmaceutical company. The Company focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The Company operates across therapy areas, including Oncology; Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM); Respiratory and Immunology (R&I); Vaccines and Immune Therapies (V&I), and Rare Disease. In the Oncology area, its key products include Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Calquence, Lynparza, and Enhertu. The key products of CVRM area include Farxiga/Forxiga, Brilinta/Brilique, Crestor, and Lokelma. In the R&I area, the key products are Symbicort, Fasenra, Breztri/Trixeo, and Tezspire. In the V&I Therapies area, the products are Beyfortus and FluMist. The products in the Rare Disease area are Ultomiris, Soliris, Strensiq, and Koselugo. It has about 191 projects in its development pipeline, including 19 new molecular entities (NMEs) in the late-stage pipeline. The Company distributes its products in over 125 countries.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AstraZeneca Poised to Acquire Abivax Amid Surge in Valuation
- Acquisition Potential: AstraZeneca is poised to acquire French biotech Abivax, which saw its market value soar to approximately €7.7 billion ($8.9 billion) in 2025 due to strong clinical progress of its lead drug candidate, positioning AstraZeneca as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry's search for innovative therapies.
- Exclusive Data Access: Since early February, AstraZeneca has held exclusive access to Abivax's data room, with the exclusivity period running until March 23, allowing AstraZeneca time to evaluate the data and potentially formalize an acquisition offer; failure to submit a bid by the deadline could reopen negotiations with other interested parties.
- Attractive Drug Candidate: Abivax's drug candidate obefazimod achieved significant breakthroughs in its Phase 3 clinical trials in July 2025, demonstrating impressive efficacy for patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, with potential commercialization expected around 2027, and the U.S. market anticipated to represent nearly 70% of its commercial opportunity.
- Political and Strategic Edge: As a European company, AstraZeneca may face less political resistance in acquiring Abivax, particularly given the established relationship between its CEO and Abivax's CEO, which could provide strategic advantages during the approval process, especially under the scrutiny of French regulatory authorities.
See More
Joshua Jackson Partners with AstraZeneca to Promote Cancer Screening
- Health Campaign Collaboration: Joshua Jackson teams up with AstraZeneca and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, to launch the national 'Get Body Checked Against Cancer' campaign, aimed at encouraging fans to proactively discuss cancer screenings with their doctors, especially as 65% of Americans are behind on recommended screenings.
- Cultural Relevance: Jackson's status as a public figure resonates with a younger generation, emphasizing the importance of timely conversations about cancer risk as they enter a life stage where such discussions become increasingly critical, thereby fostering broader health dialogues.
- Funding Commitment: AstraZeneca has donated $1.1 million to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative through the V Foundation, demonstrating its strong commitment to advancing cancer screening and research, further solidifying its role as the first-ever official national partner of Hockey Fights Cancer.
- Call to Action: Mohit Manrao, Senior VP of US Oncology at AstraZeneca, stresses that timely action can save lives, urging fans to take charge of their health, particularly as cancer rates rise among those under 50, and encouraging everyone not to wait to get body checked.
See More
AstraZeneca's Koselugo Approved in Canada
- New Drug Approval: AstraZeneca's Koselugo has been approved in Canada for treating adult patients with symptomatic, inoperable neurofibromatosis type 1, marking a significant expansion in the company's rare disease portfolio.
- Clinical Trial Support: The approval is based on positive results from the KOMET Phase III trial, demonstrating Koselugo's efficacy in alleviating patient symptoms, thereby laying a foundation for AstraZeneca's global marketing efforts.
- International Approval Progress: Koselugo has recently received approvals in multiple countries, including the US, EU, and Japan, indicating increasing recognition in international markets and enhancing AstraZeneca's competitive position.
- Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on the NYSE, AstraZeneca shares fell 2.78% to $188.92, reflecting a cautious market response to the drug's approval, which may impact the company's short-term stock performance.
See More
ENHERTU Shows 53% Reduction in Recurrence Risk in Breast Cancer Trial
- Clinical Trial Results: The DESTINY-Breast05 Phase III trial demonstrated that ENHERTU reduces the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 53% compared to T-DM1, providing new hope for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer.
- Priority Review Approval: ENHERTU's supplemental Biologics License Application has been accepted for Priority Review in the US, with a regulatory decision expected in Q3 2026, potentially establishing it as a new standard of care and significantly improving patient outcomes.
- Breakthrough Therapy Designation: ENHERTU has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for this indication, indicating its potential to address serious conditions and possibly accelerating its path to market to meet significant unmet medical needs.
- International Collaborative Review: The application is also under review through Project Orbis, which allows for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among international partners, further enhancing ENHERTU's competitive position in the global market.
See More
Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's ENHERTU Application Receives Priority Review
- Application Approval: Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's supplemental Biologics License Application for ENHERTU has been accepted for Priority Review in the U.S., targeting adult patients with HER2 positive breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant HER2 targeted treatment, highlighting the collaboration potential in cancer drug development.
- Project Background: The application is being reviewed under Project Orbis, aimed at accelerating the approval process for new drugs globally, indicating regulatory agencies' recognition of ENHERTU's significance in the treatment landscape and its potential market impact.
- International Review Progress: Regulatory submissions for ENHERTU are also under review in the EU and Japan based on the DESTINY-Breast05 study results, further enhancing its competitiveness and recognition in the global market.
- Market Performance: Daiichi Sankyo shares are currently trading at 2,849 yen, down 0.63%, reflecting market caution regarding the drug's approval progress and potentially impacting investor confidence in the company's future growth.
See More
ENHERTU Shows 53% Reduction in Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk in Phase 3 Trial
- Clinical Trial Results: The DESTINY-Breast05 trial demonstrated that ENHERTU reduced the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 53% compared to T-DM1, providing new treatment hope for early breast cancer patients.
- Priority Review Approval: The supplemental Biologics License Application for ENHERTU by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca has been accepted for Priority Review in the U.S., and if approved, it could establish a new standard of care for HER2 positive early breast cancer, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- FDA Target Date: The FDA has set a PDUFA date of July 7, 2026, and if ENHERTU is approved, it will offer patients a more effective treatment option, potentially transforming the landscape of breast cancer treatment.
- Safety Analysis: In the DESTINY-Breast05 trial, the safety profile of ENHERTU was consistent with its known characteristics, with grade 3 or higher adverse event rates comparable to T-DM1, indicating good tolerability.
See More
AstraZeneca Poised to Acquire Abivax Amid Surge in Valuation
- Acquisition Potential: AstraZeneca is poised to acquire French biotech Abivax, which saw its market value soar to approximately €7.7 billion ($8.9 billion) in 2025 due to strong clinical progress of its lead drug candidate, positioning AstraZeneca as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry's search for innovative therapies.
- Exclusive Data Access: Since early February, AstraZeneca has held exclusive access to Abivax's data room, with the exclusivity period running until March 23, allowing AstraZeneca time to evaluate the data and potentially formalize an acquisition offer; failure to submit a bid by the deadline could reopen negotiations with other interested parties.
- Attractive Drug Candidate: Abivax's drug candidate obefazimod achieved significant breakthroughs in its Phase 3 clinical trials in July 2025, demonstrating impressive efficacy for patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis, with potential commercialization expected around 2027, and the U.S. market anticipated to represent nearly 70% of its commercial opportunity.
- Political and Strategic Edge: As a European company, AstraZeneca may face less political resistance in acquiring Abivax, particularly given the established relationship between its CEO and Abivax's CEO, which could provide strategic advantages during the approval process, especially under the scrutiny of French regulatory authorities.
See More
Joshua Jackson Partners with AstraZeneca to Promote Cancer Screening
- Health Campaign Collaboration: Joshua Jackson teams up with AstraZeneca and Gritty, the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, to launch the national 'Get Body Checked Against Cancer' campaign, aimed at encouraging fans to proactively discuss cancer screenings with their doctors, especially as 65% of Americans are behind on recommended screenings.
- Cultural Relevance: Jackson's status as a public figure resonates with a younger generation, emphasizing the importance of timely conversations about cancer risk as they enter a life stage where such discussions become increasingly critical, thereby fostering broader health dialogues.
- Funding Commitment: AstraZeneca has donated $1.1 million to the Hockey Fights Cancer initiative through the V Foundation, demonstrating its strong commitment to advancing cancer screening and research, further solidifying its role as the first-ever official national partner of Hockey Fights Cancer.
- Call to Action: Mohit Manrao, Senior VP of US Oncology at AstraZeneca, stresses that timely action can save lives, urging fans to take charge of their health, particularly as cancer rates rise among those under 50, and encouraging everyone not to wait to get body checked.
See More
AstraZeneca's Koselugo Approved in Canada
- New Drug Approval: AstraZeneca's Koselugo has been approved in Canada for treating adult patients with symptomatic, inoperable neurofibromatosis type 1, marking a significant expansion in the company's rare disease portfolio.
- Clinical Trial Support: The approval is based on positive results from the KOMET Phase III trial, demonstrating Koselugo's efficacy in alleviating patient symptoms, thereby laying a foundation for AstraZeneca's global marketing efforts.
- International Approval Progress: Koselugo has recently received approvals in multiple countries, including the US, EU, and Japan, indicating increasing recognition in international markets and enhancing AstraZeneca's competitive position.
- Market Reaction: In pre-market trading on the NYSE, AstraZeneca shares fell 2.78% to $188.92, reflecting a cautious market response to the drug's approval, which may impact the company's short-term stock performance.
See More
ENHERTU Shows 53% Reduction in Recurrence Risk in Breast Cancer Trial
- Clinical Trial Results: The DESTINY-Breast05 Phase III trial demonstrated that ENHERTU reduces the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 53% compared to T-DM1, providing new hope for patients with HER2-positive early breast cancer.
- Priority Review Approval: ENHERTU's supplemental Biologics License Application has been accepted for Priority Review in the US, with a regulatory decision expected in Q3 2026, potentially establishing it as a new standard of care and significantly improving patient outcomes.
- Breakthrough Therapy Designation: ENHERTU has received Breakthrough Therapy Designation from the FDA for this indication, indicating its potential to address serious conditions and possibly accelerating its path to market to meet significant unmet medical needs.
- International Collaborative Review: The application is also under review through Project Orbis, which allows for concurrent submission and review of oncology medicines among international partners, further enhancing ENHERTU's competitive position in the global market.
See More
Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's ENHERTU Application Receives Priority Review
- Application Approval: Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca's supplemental Biologics License Application for ENHERTU has been accepted for Priority Review in the U.S., targeting adult patients with HER2 positive breast cancer who have residual invasive disease after neoadjuvant HER2 targeted treatment, highlighting the collaboration potential in cancer drug development.
- Project Background: The application is being reviewed under Project Orbis, aimed at accelerating the approval process for new drugs globally, indicating regulatory agencies' recognition of ENHERTU's significance in the treatment landscape and its potential market impact.
- International Review Progress: Regulatory submissions for ENHERTU are also under review in the EU and Japan based on the DESTINY-Breast05 study results, further enhancing its competitiveness and recognition in the global market.
- Market Performance: Daiichi Sankyo shares are currently trading at 2,849 yen, down 0.63%, reflecting market caution regarding the drug's approval progress and potentially impacting investor confidence in the company's future growth.
See More
ENHERTU Shows 53% Reduction in Breast Cancer Recurrence Risk in Phase 3 Trial
- Clinical Trial Results: The DESTINY-Breast05 trial demonstrated that ENHERTU reduced the risk of invasive disease recurrence or death by 53% compared to T-DM1, providing new treatment hope for early breast cancer patients.
- Priority Review Approval: The supplemental Biologics License Application for ENHERTU by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca has been accepted for Priority Review in the U.S., and if approved, it could establish a new standard of care for HER2 positive early breast cancer, significantly enhancing market competitiveness.
- FDA Target Date: The FDA has set a PDUFA date of July 7, 2026, and if ENHERTU is approved, it will offer patients a more effective treatment option, potentially transforming the landscape of breast cancer treatment.
- Safety Analysis: In the DESTINY-Breast05 trial, the safety profile of ENHERTU was consistent with its known characteristics, with grade 3 or higher adverse event rates comparable to T-DM1, indicating good tolerability.
See More
