How to Trade AstraZeneca Shares

AstraZeneca is a global drug developer whose medicines save and extend lives in oncology, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, and respiratory conditions.

Over the past decade, the Anglo‑Swedish firm has transformed itself through a relentless focus on science and a flurry of acquisitions, and its shares have rewarded investors handsomely: since the company’s formation in 1999, the London‑listed stock has returned more than 1480%.

As we head through 2025, AstraZeneca’s share price hovers around $80 in New York and £119 in London after an impressive run that has nevertheless seen bouts of volatility. For traders and investors looking to tap into the pharmaceutical sector, understanding how AstraZeneca stock behaves and how to buy or trade it is essential. The benefits of trading or investing in AstraZeneca stock include potential returns, portfolio diversification, and access to a leading biopharmaceutical company.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover what AstraZeneca does, what drives its share price, recent performance and dividends, and practical strategies for trading the stock.

Trade AstraZeneca Shares

What is AstraZeneca PLC?

AstraZeneca PLC is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, UK. It was formed on 6 April 1999 through the merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and Britain’s Zeneca Group and has since become one of the world’s largest drug developers. The company’s business model revolves around the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines, vaccines, and immune therapies. Its core therapeutic areas include:

• Oncology: Cancer treatments such as Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi, and Enhertu. In 2024, oncology accounted for 41% of revenue.
• Cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism (CVRM): Medicines like Farxiga for diabetes and heart failure.
• Respiratory & immunology: Drugs for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Rare disease: Through its 2021 acquisition of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, it expanded into rare metabolic and autoimmune conditions.

AstraZeneca’s global footprint is significant. By 2024, more than 40% of revenue came from the United States, reflecting the company’s strategic shift towards the world’s largest pharmaceutical market. 

The company's management, led by chief executive Pascal Soriot, has prioritised growth in oncology and rare diseases while investing heavily in research and development (R&D). The leadership team comprises 12 executives, including CFO Marc Dunoyer and EVP for Oncology R&D José Baselga.

AstraZeneca is mostly recognized as a global biopharmaceutical company specializing in the research, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. It is best known for its work in oncology (cancer treatments), cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases, respiratory and immunology, as well as its contribution to vaccines and rare diseases. More recently, AstraZeneca gained worldwide recognition for developing one of the first widely distributed COVID-19 vaccines in partnership with the University of Oxford.

Brief History and Milestones

How Does Astra Zeneca Group PLC (AZN) Stock Work?

AstraZeneca shares trade under the ticker AZN on multiple exchanges. The primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), where the stock is part of the FTSE 100 index. Secondary listings include Nasdaq (U.S.) and Nasdaq Stockholm (Sweden), allowing investors worldwide to buy the shares. Each American Depositary Receipt (ADR) on Nasdaq represents half of one UK ordinary share. 

The company reports financial results in U.S. dollars but pays dividends in the local currency of each listing. Stock prices and performance data for AstraZeneca are updated during business days when the relevant stock exchanges are open. 

Trading hours for AstraZeneca stock vary depending on the exchange (such as LSE, Nasdaq), so investors should be aware of the specific trading hours for each market.

Ownership Structure

Ownership of AstraZeneca PLC Shares is widely distributed. According to data, institutions own about 83% of shares, the general public holds roughly 16.5%, while insiders and private companies own less than 1%. 

The largest institutional holders include BlackRock Inc. (9.03% of shares) and The Vanguard Group (5.11%). 

Other significant investors are Capital Research and Management Company (5.01%), Wellington Management (3.63%), and Investor AB (3.33%). This institutional dominance means that large fund managers have considerable influence over the share price.

Recent filings show that there have been no significant insider shares sold, which may indicate insider confidence in the company's future prospects.

Business Model and Revenue Sources

AstraZeneca generates revenue by selling patented prescription medicines. Sales growth depends on successful clinical trials, regulatory approvals, pricing power, and market adoption. 

In the second quarter of 2025, strong demand for new cancer, heart, and kidney disease medicines pushed revenue up 11% to $14.46 billion. Looking ahead, the company aims to launch 20 new medicines by 2030 and is investing heavily in U.S. manufacturing and direct‑to‑customer sales. 

Overall, Oncology remains the largest segment, accounting for 41% of total revenue in 2024, followed by rare disease, CVRM, and respiratory franchises.

Dividend Payment

AstraZeneca has a semi‑annual dividend policy. According to the company, dividends are normally paid twice a year, with a larger second interim payment. 

Shareholders no longer receive cheque payments; since 2021, dividends have been paid electronically. The company does not offer a dividend reinvestment plan for ordinary shareholders, though ADR holders may reinvest through the DB Global Direct program. 

Recent data shows that the 2025 annual dividend is $1.54 per share with a yield of 1.92% and the last ex‑dividend date was 8 August 2025. AstraZeneca increased its interim dividend by 7 cents to $1 in July 2024, reflecting confidence in cash flows.

Investors should examine the company’s latest financial statements to gauge trends in revenue, expenses, and cash flow.

What Drives AstraZeneca’s Value?

Understanding what moves AstraZeneca stock helps traders anticipate price swings. Five broad categories influence the share price:

Product Pipeline and Innovation

New drug approvals and clinical trial results are the lifeblood of any pharmaceutical company. 

AstraZeneca’s oncology successes (Tagrisso, Lynparza, Imfinzi) have underpinned revenue growth, and investors closely follow the company’s R&D pipeline of 20 expected launches by 2030. 

Positive trial outcomes can trigger rallies, while setbacks (such as failed trials or regulatory delays) can lead to sharp sell‑offs.

Earnings and Guidance

Quarterly and annual AZN earnings reports provide benchmarks for market expectations. For the second quarter of 2025, AZN (AstraZeneca PLC) delivered core earnings of $2.17 per share, slightly above consensus, while revenue rose 11%. In 2024, the company raised its full‑year sales and profit outlook, expecting mid‑teens percentage growth, after oncology revenue increased 19%. 

Analysts also watch gross margins and R&D spending. Investors should review the details of each AZN earnings report, including release schedules, conference call information, and key financial metrics, to make informed trading decisions.

Regulation and Drug Pricing

Government policies on drug pricing can sway investor sentiment. In July 2025, CEO Pascal Soriot signalled willingness to cut U.S. drug prices amid political pressure, even as AstraZeneca pursues a $50 billion U.S. expansion. 

Potential U.S. tariffs on pharmaceuticals remain an uncertainty. Meanwhile, favourable reimbursement decisions in Europe or the U.S. can support sales.

Macroeconomic Factors and Currency Movements

AstraZeneca reports in U.S. dollars but earns revenue globally. Exchange‑rate fluctuations between the pound, dollar, and euro affect reported earnings and valuations. Interest‑rate changes can also impact investor appetite for defensive pharmaceutical stocks relative to other sectors.

It is important to note that growth in emerging markets can bolster revenue but also introduce currency and regulatory risks.

Competitive Landscape and Patents

As patents expire, generics and biosimilars erode revenue. AstraZeneca is racing to bring next‑generation drugs to market before existing exclusivities expire. Mergers and acquisitions (e.g., the Alexion deal) both expand the product portfolio and can strain finances if not executed well.

AstraZeneca Stock Price Performance

AstraZeneca’s share price journey spans more than two decades. The stock began trading in its current form in April 1999, when Sweden’s Astra AB and Britain’s Zeneca Group merged. 

Adjusted for splits and dividends, the ADR was worth around eight dollars at the outset; today, as of September 2025, it trades near eighty dollars. That transformation equates to a cumulative return of about 1484% since listing, turning a $1000 investment into roughly $15840.

Long‑term gains haven’t come in a straight line. The stock reached an all‑time closing high of $85.82 on 30 August 2024, but has also suffered sizeable drawdowns. 

Over the past year, the price has swung between $61.24 and $84.30, with an average of about $72. Such ranges reflect shifting investor sentiment around blockbuster cancer drugs, regulatory news, and broader market sell‑offs.

Looking at discrete years shows how fortunes have fluctuated. In 2019, AstraZeneca surged more than 35% as oncological breakthroughs impressed the market. Gains were more modest in 2020 at around 3%, even though the company took a leading role in COVID‑19 vaccine development. Successive years were stronger: 19.7% in 2021 and 19.2% in 2022 as sales of Tagrisso, Lynparz, and Farxiga boomed. 

By contrast, 2023 eked out just a 1.4% advance, and 2024 saw a small decline of 0.6% despite the stock hitting its record high. So far in 2025, the shares have rebounded strongly, up around 25% year‑to‑date, following better‑than‑expected second‑quarter results and an optimistic pipeline update.

Over the last five years, AstraZeneca has delivered a total return (including dividends) of roughly 61%, beating the industry median. The three‑year figure is about 41%. However, the total return over the past twelve months is flat, at roughly 0.83%.

Dividend Record

AstraZeneca has paid semi‑annual dividends consistently. The most recent ex‑dividend date was 8 August 2025 with a cash amount of $0.505 per ADR. 

Earlier in 2025, the company paid $1.030 per ADR (ex‑dividend 21 February 2025). Combined, the 2025 dividend of $1.54 per share corresponds to a yield of 1.92%. Over the last few years, dividends have grown moderately. 

It is important to note that the stock has a one‑year dividend growth rate of about 5.50% and a payout ratio of 28.92%, indicating room for further increases.

Bear in mind that Switch Markets offers dividends on CFD positions, which means that investors holding AstraZeneca CFDs are entitled to get dividend payouts. 

How to Trade AstraZeneca stock

There are multiple ways to gain exposure to AstraZeneca. The choice depends on whether you want to buy shares or simply speculate on price movements. Let’s explore the main methods.

1. Spot Trading (Buy and Hold)

Spot trading involves purchasing ordinary shares (on the LSE) or ADRs (on Nasdaq) and holding them in an investment account. When you own the shares, you are entitled to dividends and voting rights. 

For long‑term investors, this approach is straightforward. You benefit from capital gains if the share price rises and from semi‑annual dividends. However, your returns are exposed to currency fluctuations if you hold ADRs and to company‑specific risks such as drug trial failures. Furthermore, buying AstraZeneca shares directly from the exchange does not allow you to enjoy the benefit of leverage. This means that your purchasing power is limited.

2. CFD Trading

If you prefer to speculate on short‑term price movements without owning the shares, you can trade AstraZeneca via CFDs. For those unaware, CFDs (Contracts for Difference) are financial derivatives that let traders speculate on the price movement of an asset, such as stocks, forex, commodities, or indices, without actually owning the underlying asset. Instead, you enter into a contract with a broker to exchange the difference in the asset’s price from when the trade is opened to when it’s closed.

Here’s how to trade AstraZeneca CFDs on Switch Markets:

• Open or log in to a CFD trading account with Switch Markets and verify your account. You can visit our stocks page to learn more about share CFD trading.
• Search for “AstraZeneca” on the platform and select the CFD instrument.
• Select your position size and decide whether to go long or short. Because CFDs are leveraged, even small price changes can have a big impact on your profit or loss. To learn more, you can visit our guide on lot size in trading.
• Confirm the trade and monitor your position. Use stop‑loss and take‑profit orders to manage risk.

To trade AstraZeneca via CFDs, it helps to choose a broker that balances competitive pricing with robust regulatory oversight. 

Switch Markets, for example, is authorised and regulated and caters to traders looking for tight spreads, top-notch technology, 24/5 access to major stock‑CFDs, and a user‑friendly platform.

You can open a CFD account quickly, access AstraZeneca alongside hundreds of other equities, and take advantage of built‑in tools for setting stop‑losses or take‑profit levels.

3. Options and Futures

A third route is to trade options or futures on AstraZeneca stock. Options give you the right but not the obligation to buy or sell the shares at a set price before expiry. 

Futures obligate you to buy or sell at a future date. These instruments are typically available on Euronext or ICE and require a margin account.

For instance, you could buy a call option if you expect AstraZeneca’s price to rise or buy a put option to profit from a decline. Because options and futures are derivatives with time decay and potentially complex pricing, they are best suited to experienced traders.

Wrapping up

AstraZeneca has evolved from a traditional pharmaceutical firm into a diversified biopharma powerhouse. A strong oncology franchise, a deep pipeline, and ambitious revenue targets underpin the company’s investment case.

Over the past five years, the stock has returned almost 50%, though the last twelve months have been more volatile. Dividends are modest but growing, and management raised the interim payout by 7 cents in 2024. For long‑term investors who value exposure to life‑saving medicines, AstraZeneca remains a compelling candidate.

Short-term traders and investors can access the stock through CFDs, which is the most effective method to trade AstraZeneca shares. With CFDs, Switch Markets' traders can get competitive pricing, a leverage ratio, dividends, and an advanced and user-friendly trading platform. 

Trade Stocks Now

FAQs

If you still have lingering doubts before you place a trade, here are our answers to the most common questions investors and traders ask.

Does AstraZeneca stock pay dividends?

Yes. AstraZeneca pays dividends twice a year. The board aims to balance business needs with shareholder returns and typically makes a small first interim payment and a larger second interim payment.

Is AstraZeneca a good stock to buy?

Whether AstraZeneca is a good investment depends on your goals and risk tolerance. Recent analyst commentary has been largely positive. Analysts expect the company’s U.S. expansion and 20 new drug launches to drive sales toward $80 billion by 2030. However, the stock currently trades at about $80, and consensus price targets imply moderate upside.

Who owns AstraZeneca stock?

Ownership is dominated by large institutional investors. Institutions own about 83% of the shares, while the general public holds 16.5%. BlackRock is the largest shareholder with 9.03% of shares; The Vanguard Group holds 5.11%; Capital Research and Management Company owns 5.01%; Wellington Management holds 3.63%; and Investor AB holds 3.33%.

What is the AstraZeneca stock symbol?

AstraZeneca is publicly traded under the ticker symbol AZN, which it uses across major exchanges, including the NASDAQ in the United States, the London Stock Exchange in the UK, and the Stockholm Stock Exchange in Sweden.