It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors.
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.
Value investors love finding good stocks at good prices, especially before the broader market catches on to a stock's true value. Utilizing ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, the Value Style Score identifies the most attractive and most discounted stocks.
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 is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock, with a Value Style Score of B and VGM Score of B. Shares are currently trading at a forward P/E of 14.3X for the current fiscal year compared to the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's P/E of 12.8X. Additionally, AZN has a PEG Ratio of 1.1 and a Price/Cash Flow ratio of 12.4X. Value investors should also note AZN's Price/Sales ratio of 4.1X.
Value investors don't just pay attention to a company's valuation ratios; positive earnings play a crucial role, too. Four analysts revised their earnings estimate upwards in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.05 to $4.11 per share. AZN has 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.
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AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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