UK Government and Pharmaceutical Companies Standoff: Talks between the UK government and pharmaceutical companies broke down, with industry leaders warning that this could hinder future investments in the sector.
Dispute Over Drug Pricing Scheme: The disagreement centers on the UK's voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing, with proposed increases in payment rates causing concern among drugmakers about excessive costs.
Comparison with European Countries: Current mandatory payments for branded medicine sales in the UK are significantly higher than those in other European nations, leading to calls from pharmaceutical executives for more competitive rates.
Impact on Investment Decisions: Executives from major pharmaceutical companies, like Novartis and AstraZeneca, have expressed that the UK is becoming less attractive for investment, prioritizing markets that offer better incentives for innovation.
AZN
$91.56+Infinity%1D
Analyst Views on AZN
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: 89.830
Low
95.00
Averages
99.67
High
103.00
Current: 89.830
Low
95.00
Averages
99.67
High
103.00
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.
JPMorgan
NULL -> Overweight
upgrade
2025-12-08
Reason
JPMorgan
Price Target
2025-12-08
upgrade
NULL -> Overweight
Reason
JPMorgan raised the firm's price target on AstraZeneca to 16,000 GBp from 14,000 GBp and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares.
JPMorgan
NULL
to
Overweight
maintain
2025-12-08
Reason
JPMorgan
Price Target
2025-12-08
maintain
NULL
to
Overweight
Reason
JPMorgan raised the firm's price target on AstraZeneca to 16,000 GBp from 14,000 GBp and keeps an Overweight rating on the shares. JPMorgan also added AstraZeneca to its European Analyst Focus List. The firm adjusted ratings in the European pharma group as part of its 2026 outlook. It expects sector performance to be driven by pipeline readouts, saying much of the concern around the impact of U.S. price pressure on sector earnings has dissipated in Q4. JPMorgan downgraded companies with a lack of pipeline readouts in 2026.
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.
