The U.K. drugmaker’s revenue rose 5% when adjusted for currency changes, driven by growth in oncology sales. www.wsj.com/business/ear...

AstraZeneca announced strong financial results for the second quarter, with revenue increasing by 12% to $14.46 billion and core earnings per share (EPS) rising by 10% to $2.17. The reported EPS saw an even larger jump of 27% to reach $1.58. This performance was largely attributed to double-digit growth seen in both oncology and biopharmaceuticals.

For the first half of the year, AstraZeneca's revenue climbed 11% to $28.05 billion, and core operating profit grew by 13%. These positive results led to a significant increase in the company's market value, with £3.3 billion added to its valuation. The company also maintained its full-year guidance, anticipating high single-digit revenue growth and a low double-digit increase in core EPS.

CEO Pascal Soriot highlighted excellent progress in the company's research pipeline, noting 12 positive Phase III trial results and 19 regulatory approvals across major markets during the first half. The company aims to achieve $80 billion in annual revenue by 2030, driven by continued investment in new products and innovation. Analysts like Derren Nathan of Hargreaves Lansdown commented that AstraZeneca is in "rude health" at the halfway mark, having exceeded market expectations. The company also declared an interim dividend of $1.03.

Wall Street analysts have projected AstraZeneca to report quarterly earnings of $2.50 per share in its upcoming report, indicating a 14.7% year-over-year increase, with revenues expected to be $15.31 billion, up 5.9%. Specific oncology product forecasts include Tagrisso-U.S. at $840.91 million (+10.5%), Imfinzi-U.S. at $1.13 billion (+33.4%), and Calquence-U.S. at $664.62 million (+14%). However, Lynparza-U.S. is projected to see a slight decrease of -1.5% to $372.33 million. These recent estimates show a 1.1% downward revision in the consensus EPS for the quarter over the last 30 days.

For the first quarter of 2025, AstraZeneca reported a 10% increase in total revenue to $13.588 billion and a 21% rise in core EPS to $2.49, driven by strong growth in oncology and biopharmaceuticals across all major geographic regions. The company reiterated its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting high single-digit percentage growth in total revenue and low double-digit percentage growth in core EPS, with a core tax rate projected between 18-22%.