What's the Outlook for AstraZeneca Stock?
As one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) competes in a broad array of disease markets, producing medicines in the oncology, immunology, and cardiovascular segments, just to name a few. AstraZeneca is also one of the world's most prolific drug innovators, claiming 21 different regulatory approvals for its pipeline projects last year alone. What's more, the company is profitable, posting steady revenue growth year over year, and is engaged in a high-profile effort to develop a coronavirus vaccine.
Nonetheless, investors considering AstraZeneca's stock may have reservations about the company's $22.12 billion in debt, which far outweighs its $1.57 billion in trailing free cash flow, as well as its $6.11 billion in cash on hand. Others may be hesitant to invest in a mature company that's reliant on costly, continuous, and highly risky research and development (R&D) projects. Related worries include that AstraZeneca won't be able to grow as rapidly as a smaller company would, and it may not outperform the market. Let's take a peek at AstraZeneca's core activities to see how they might impact its stock price over the next year or so.
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Source Fool.com
