AstraZeneca (AZN) Q3 2026 Earnings Review: Cancer drugs drive growth as cash flow weakens
Earnings results
- EPS beat
Actual: $2.79 Core · Cons.: $2.60
- Revenue beat
Actual: $16.209B · Cons.: $16.00B
- Guidance reaffirmed
FY2026 revenue growth: mid-to-high single digits; Core EPS: low double digits, excluding currency.
What the company reported
AstraZeneca’s third-quarter earnings beat forecasts as cancer medicines drove growth, but weaker sales of older drugs and lower cash generation keep execution in focus.
Q3 2026 earnings recap
AstraZeneca’s third-quarter earnings beat forecasts as cancer medicines drove growth, but weaker sales of older drugs and lower cash generation keep execution in focus.
- Core profit per share, which excludes specified costs, rose 17% to $2.79 versus the $2.6 estimate, while revenue reached $16.21 billion against a $16 billion forecast.
- Cancer-treatment revenue rose 17% to $7.77 billion, offsetting a 25% decline in Farxiga sales as the diabetes medicine faces competition after losing exclusivity.
- Full-year guidance was reaffirmed for mid-to-high single-digit revenue growth and low-double-digit Core profit growth, excluding currency movements.
- Cash from operations fell to $10.89 billion from $12.23 billion over nine months, despite higher profit, as working capital and tax payments absorbed cash.
- Four new medicines received their first approvals this year, expanding future revenue opportunities while launch spending and clinical setbacks remain risks.
- At the October 29 close, shares traded near 25 times trailing reported diluted profit, with support around $168–170 and resistance near $174–176.
The next test is whether new launches and cancer-drug demand can sustain growth and improve cash generation while pricing pressure and older-drug competition persist.
Financials, technicals and earnings
Charts through Oct 29, 2026.
Technical setup and risks
Cancer medicines and new launches support growth as Farxiga faces competition; chart resistance is near $174–176 and support around $168–170.
AI-assisted earnings research with verified issuer results. Charts use the stated completed session. Educational information; investing involves risk.