AstraZeneca Surpasses £200 Billion Valuation in Watershed Moment for London's Largest Listed Company

The market capitalisation of AstraZeneca has reached £200 billion for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Cambridge-based pharmaceuticals group. The company's shares, led by CEO Sir Pascal Soriot, have been on a upward trajectory for years, driven by the launch of blockbuster medicines and ambitious sales targets. AstraZeneca's growth has also allowed it to surpass its American rival Pfizer in valuation, becoming London's largest listed company in the process.

Key Takeaways:

• AstraZeneca's market capitalisation has crossed the £200 billion threshold for the first time, making it London's most valuable listed company.
• The company's shares have surged 78% over the past five years, driven by the launch of oncology medicines and ambitious sales targets.
• AstraZeneca has overtaken Pfizer, which is valued at around $163 billion, and is now more valuable than Shell (£175 billion) and HSBC (£119 billion).
• The company set a target to almost double revenues to $80 billion by 2030 as part of its "new era of growth".
• Analysts at AJ Bell believe Shell was the first London-listed company to reach a £200 billion valuation in 2018.

Statistics:

• AstraZeneca's market capitalisation is now at £200.3 billion.
• The company's shares have risen 1.1% in the past day, closing at £129.20.
• The company's shares have increased by 78% over the past five years.
• AstraZeneca set a target to almost double revenues to $80 billion by 2030.
• The company's valuation is now higher than Shell, HSBC, and Pfizer.

Sources:

• Alex Ralph (no publication date)
• Datastream figure cited by AJ Bell (no date)
• Internal source material