Here's Why Astrazeneca (AZN) is a Strong Value Stock

In This Article:

For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals.

Many investors also have a go-to methodology that helps guide their buy and sell decisions. One way to find winning stocks based on your preferred way of investing is to use the Zacks Style Scores, which are indicators that rate stocks based on three widely-followed investing types: value, growth, and momentum.

Why Investors Should Pay Attention to This Value Stock

Different than growth or momentum investors, value-focused investors are all about finding good stocks at good prices, and discovering which companies are trading under what their true value is before the broader market catches on. The Value Style Score utilizes ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow to help pick out the most attractive and discounted stocks.

Astrazeneca (AZN)

AstraZeneca plc, headquartered in London, UK, is one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the world. AstraZeneca was formed on Apr 6, 1999, through the merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and UK’s Zeneca Group plc. AstraZeneca’s business can be broken down into separate lines based on therapeutic classes. These include cardiovascular, respiratory, immunology, oncology, rare diseases, vaccines and other.

AZN boasts a Value Style Score of B and VGM Score of A, and holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) rating. Shares of Astrazeneca are trading at a forward earnings multiple of 16.2X, as well as a PEG Ratio of 1.2, a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 12.3X, and a Price/Sales ratio of 4X.

A company's earnings performance is important for value investors as well. For fiscal 2024, four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for AZN, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.04 to $4.11 per share. AZN also holds an average earnings surprise of 3.3%.

Investors should take the time to consider AZN for their portfolios due to its solid Zacks Ranks, notable earnings and valuation metrics, and impressive Value and VGM Style Scores.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research