Feb 10 - AstraZeneca on Tuesday projected higher profit and sales in 2026, citing strength in its oncology portfolio and momentum for newer treatments as it steps up expansion in its two largest markets, the United States and China. The guidance forms part of CEO Pascal Soriot's plan to push the company toward an $80 billion annual sales target by 2030 through new medicines and targeted investments, even as U.S. tariff and healthcare policy changes remain an uncertainty.
The company said it expects total revenue in 2026 to rise by a mid-to-high single-digit percentage on a constant currency basis, and for core profit to increase by a low double-digit percentage. These projections follow a year in which AstraZeneca's sales and profit climbed 8% and 11%, respectively.
For the three months ended December 31, AstraZeneca reported core earnings per share of $2.12, with total revenue up 2% to $15.50 billion. Those results matched the company-compiled analyst consensus of $2.12 per share and roughly $15.4 billion in revenue.
Drug-specific performance in the quarter showed a 20% increase in cancer drug sales to $7.03 billion, while revenue from cardiovascular medicines fell 6% to $3.05 billion, a decline AstraZeneca attributed in part to generic competition.
The group has pursued several large-scale moves to strengthen its position in the United States and China. In the U.S., AstraZeneca last year agreed a $50 billion manufacturing arrangement and listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In China, after encountering regional setbacks, the company is pursuing a $15 billion investment this year to deepen its footprint.
Earlier company guidance had anticipated revenue expanding by a high single-digit percentage and core earnings growing by a low double-digit percentage; the newly announced 2026 target reiterates management's expectation of continued top-line and core-profit progress over the next few years.
Separately, retail-facing promotional material questioned whether investors should buy AZN today, pointing to an AI-driven screening tool that evaluates thousands of companies monthly using more than 100 financial metrics to identify stocks with favorable risk-reward profiles. The promotional note cited past winners identified by the tool but did not change the company-reported financials or outlook.
Data points
- 2026 revenue outlook: mid-to-high single-digit percentage growth at constant currency
- 2026 core profit outlook: low double-digit percentage growth
- 2025 results: sales up 8%, profit up 11%
- Quarter to Dec 31: core EPS $2.12; total revenue $15.50 billion, up 2%
- Cancer drugs quarterly sales: $7.03 billion, up 20%
- Cardiovascular drugs quarterly sales: $3.05 billion, down 6%
- Major investments: $50 billion U.S. manufacturing deal; NYSE listing; $15 billion China investment