Pfizer's Acquisition of Metsera: Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla announced the $10 billion acquisition of GLP-1 maker Metsera, emphasizing its importance in competing against Novo Nordisk in the obesity drug market. Pfizer had to increase its initial bid significantly to secure the deal.
Market Performance and Future Outlook: Following the acquisition announcement, Pfizer's stock remained stable initially but has since increased by about 4.9%. Bourla anticipates that Metsera's new GLP-1 products could be available by 2028 if development proceeds smoothly.
Challenges and Activist Campaigns: Pfizer has faced challenges, including a decline in share prices and an activist campaign from Starboard Value, which criticized the company's management of pandemic revenues. Starboard has since begun to unwind its stake as the campaign lost momentum.
Strategic Positioning and Manufacturing Independence: Bourla expressed confidence in Pfizer's future, highlighting its leadership potential in oncology and obesity treatments. He also noted that Pfizer is not reliant on China for manufacturing, which positions the company favorably amid trade tensions.
Wall Street analysts forecast AZN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for AZN is 99.67 USD with a low forecast of 95.00 USD and a high forecast of 103.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
Wall Street analysts forecast AZN stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for AZN is 99.67 USD with a low forecast of 95.00 USD and a high forecast of 103.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 94.510
Low
95.00
Averages
99.67
High
103.00
Current: 94.510
Low
95.00
Averages
99.67
High
103.00
Barclays
James Gordon
NULL -> Overweight
upgrade
Al Analysis
2026-01-06
Reason
Barclays
James Gordon
Price Target
Al Analysis
2026-01-06
upgrade
NULL -> Overweight
Reason
Barclays analyst James Gordon raised the firm's price target on AstraZeneca to 16,500 GBp from 14,000 GBp and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares.
Goldman Sachs
downgrade
2026-01-05
Reason
Goldman Sachs
Price Target
2026-01-05
downgrade
Reason
Goldman Sachs analysts removed AstraZeneca from the firm's European Conviction List as part of its monthly update.
Unlock Full Analyst Thesis， Get the complete breakdown of rating reason for AZN
Unlock Now
HSBC
Buy
upgrade
$95 -> $108
2025-12-10
Reason
HSBC
Price Target
$95 -> $108
2025-12-10
upgrade
Buy
Reason
HSBC raised the firm's price target on AstraZeneca to $108 from $95 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares as part of a 2026 outlook for the pharma group. The firm believes the sector is well positioned to outperform in 2026, "even more so if AI panic kicks in." HSBC's preferred stocks are "growth bucket ideas," but says "fallen angels and value could work as well."
TD Cowen
Buy
upgrade
$95 -> $105
2025-12-09
Reason
TD Cowen
Price Target
$95 -> $105
2025-12-09
upgrade
Buy
Reason
TD Cowen raised the firm's price target on AstraZeneca to $105 from $95 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm said the company has promising new products and pipeline and participates in many large, high-growth markets. Numerous events are upcoming for investors to assess progress. EPS growth appears to be above industry average, with upside possible.
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.
