London, Feb 1, 2026, 18:57 GMT — Markets have shut for the day.
- On Friday, AstraZeneca shares closed in London at 135.48 pounds, marking a 0.65% increase.
- Starting Monday, the drugmaker will move its U.S. trading from Nasdaq to the NYSE following its withdrawal from Nasdaq.
- Investors are gearing up for full-year results on Feb. 10, along with updates on China spending and plans for obesity drugs.
AstraZeneca announced its ordinary shares are set to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange this Monday, following the withdrawal of its American depositary shares — the vehicle for U.S. trading — from Nasdaq. The company confirmed the AZN ticker will stay the same, with shares continuing to trade on the London Stock Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm. (AstraZeneca)
Markets are closed for the weekend, making Monday’s reopening the first real test for the switch. Changes in liquidity or spreads should become apparent fast, particularly for U.S. investors relying on the depositary line.
Investors often demand clearer figures and stronger language around this time. With AstraZeneca’s upcoming trading update and guidance looming, attention is already sharpening well ahead of the opening bell.
On its investor relations page, AstraZeneca listed its London shares last traded Friday at 135.48 pounds, marking a 0.65% rise. The Nasdaq figure stood at $92.77, up 0.19%, though the company noted the data “might not be the latest available.” (AstraZeneca)
The group has been active on the deal front, securing a weight-management partnership with CSPC Pharmaceutical Group. It shelled out $1.2 billion upfront, with development and regulatory milestones potentially reaching $3.5 billion, plus royalties. The deal covers eight programmes, including a monthly injectable candidate now entering Phase I trials, the company said. Sharon Barr, AstraZeneca’s head of BioPharmaceuticals R&D, commented: “This strategic collaboration advances our weight management portfolio by delivering novel assets which complement our existing programmes.” (AstraZeneca)
Just a day earlier, the drugmaker committed to pouring $15 billion into China by 2030 to boost manufacturing and research, targeting areas like cell therapy and radioconjugates, it said. CEO Pascal Soriot described the move as “an exciting next chapter for AstraZeneca in China,” unveiling the plan during a visit from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (AstraZeneca)
Leading the charge in obesity drugs are Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, while competitors push for longer-lasting injections and easier dosing schedules. AstraZeneca is banking on monthly dosing tech combined with an AI-driven peptide platform to carve out a solid pipeline in this crowded market. (Financial Times)
Not everyone rushed to back early-stage hopes. Macquarie Capital analyst Tony Ren called the drop in CSPC’s shares after the news broke a classic “buy the rumour, sell the news” move. (Reuters)
Risks loom in both the short and long run. While a listing switch should be straightforward, any hiccup with settlement or trading rules could rattle the stock temporarily. On a broader scale, the heavy focus on China and obesity initiatives still depends on regulatory approvals and clinical results that might fall short.
AZN stock’s next trigger comes Monday with its debut session on the NYSE, where traders will be eyeing how smoothly shares trade and any impact on volume. AstraZeneca is set to release full-year and Q4 results on Feb. 10 at 07:00 GMT, followed by a webcast at 11:45. (AstraZeneca)
Next up, investors will demand concrete timelines — not just slogans — for the obesity partnership and the China expansion. Those specifics could shift the share price well before any new drugs hit the pharmacy shelves.
