Royal London Asset Management Adds $1.8B in AstraZeneca PLC ($AZN)

Royal London Asset Management has made a significant move by acquiring 10,299,563 shares of AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN), with a total value of approximately $1.84 billion. This filing, dated May 1, 2026, represents a new position for the fund according to the latest Form 13F filing with the SEC.

What Changed in Royal London Asset Management's AstraZeneca Position

Royal London Asset Management's latest filing shows a fresh investment in AstraZeneca, acquiring 10,299,563 shares. This marks a new position for the fund, as it previously held no shares in the biopharmaceutical company. The investment is valued at about $1.84 billion.

Other Institutional Activity in AstraZeneca

Investor AB significantly increased its holdings in AstraZeneca, adding 51,587,810 shares to hold a total of 51,587,810 shares valued at approximately $10.17 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC also took a new position with 45,040,142 shares, valued at about $8.81 billion. Meanwhile, Capital International Investors boosted its stake by 19,871,935 shares, bringing its total to 34,393,013 shares worth roughly $6.72 billion. FMR LLC grew its holdings by 7,752,869 shares to 29,601,724 shares, valued at $5.80 billion. Legal & General Group PLC made a notable increase of 25,553,763 shares, now holding 25,849,978 shares worth approximately $5.01 billion.

AstraZeneca Stock Snapshot

Shares of AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) are currently trading around $178.75. The company has a market capitalization of $277.2 billion and a P/E ratio of 27. Its 52-week range is between $137.22 and $212.71, with a 50-day moving average of $189.14 and a 200-day moving average of $182.05. AstraZeneca's beta is relatively low at 0.214, indicating lower volatility compared to the broader market.

Recent Earnings

AstraZeneca reported revenue of approximately $60.44 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 12.5%. The company achieved a net margin of 17.2% and a return on equity of 23.5%. The next earnings release is scheduled for July 27, 2026.

Dividend

AstraZeneca offers an annual dividend rate of $3.16, yielding 1.77% based on current prices. The dividend payout ratio is 47.7%.

Insider Buying and Selling at AstraZeneca PLC

Mani Sharma, SVP, Group Controller and Head of Global Finance Services, sold 11,893 shares on May 20, 2026, at an average price of $185.78. Sharma also purchased single shares at prices of $186.28 and $196.03 on May 6 and April 7, 2026, respectively. Previously, Aradhana Sarin sold 15,000 shares at $88.88 on November 12, 2025.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts maintain a positive outlook on AstraZeneca. Cowen & Co. maintained a buy rating with a $95 target on August 12, 2024. Leerink Partners reiterated its buy rating with a $136 target on July 26, 2024. The consensus among analysts is a strong buy, with a mean target price of $224.49 based on 10 opinions.

About AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca PLC is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It focuses on discovering, developing, and commercializing prescription medicines across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, cardiovascular, renal, metabolism, respiratory, and immunology. Under the leadership of CEO Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca employs around 96,100 people worldwide and operates in numerous regions including the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

Bottom Line

Royal London Asset Management's new position in AstraZeneca highlights investor interest in the healthcare sector. With a strong market presence and positive analyst ratings, AstraZeneca remains a key player in the biopharmaceutical industry. Remember, 13F filings are backward-looking and may not reflect the current investment stance.