How to Buy AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) Stock

Invest in AstraZeneca stock today with Interactive Brokers as your trusted online brokerage.

Investing in stocks can be a rewarding way to grow your wealth, and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) presents an interesting opportunity for investors looking to enter the pharmaceutical sector. Known for its innovative approach to medication, particularly in oncology and respiratory treatments, AstraZeneca has garnered attention in the market, especially with its developments around vaccines and drugs during recent global health challenges.

If you’re a new investor, you may want to add AstraZeneca PLC to your portfolio. Our guide to investing for beginners will help you learn more about how to buy stocks, choose a broker to open an account with, decide how many shares you want to buy and more. Remember, as firms like AZN work on the commercialization of prescription medication, you want to get to know the medical field, too.

How to Buy AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) Stock

If you’ve bought or sold a share of stock before, you’re likely already familiar with the process you’ll go through when investing in AstraZeneca PLC. If this is your first time investing in the stock market, follow these 4 simple steps to find the best broker for your needs and place your first buy order.  

1. Pick a Brokerage

The first step to investing in most types of stocks is to open an account with a broker. A broker is a type of financial service provider authorized to buy and sell shares of stocks and funds on behalf of retail investors. Almost every broker in the United States will provide you with full access to trading on the NASDAQ (the exchange on which AZN is traded) so you can have your pick when it comes to choosing a broker.

Some of the questions you might want to ask when you’re narrowing down your list of brokers might include the following:

• How much money can I put in my account right now? Is there an account minimum for each option?
• What type of trading platform do I prefer to use? Do I need access to a wide range of charting and analysis tools? Would I prefer an account with a simple platform that’s easy to begin with?
• How much does each broker I’m considering opening an account with charge in fees? Are fees charged based on the number of orders that I execute or the total value of my trade?
• If the broker doesn’t charge commissions, does the broker charge an annual or monthly account maintenance fee?
• What method of contacting customer service do I prefer? If I travel frequently or live outside of the United States, do I want to choose a broker that offers 24/7 live customer service?
• Do I need to trade on the go? Does a desktop-only platform work for me, or is it very important that I’m able to trade from my phone or tablet?
• Do I need access to additional markets through my platform — for example, forex and futures trading? Or am I only interested in investing in stocks and funds?

2. Decide How Many Shares You Want

After you open your brokerage account, take a look at the current share price of AstraZeneca’s stock. Decide how much money you’d like to invest in the company instead of thinking about how many shares you want to buy. It’s sometimes better to invest in dollars rather than in a rounded number of shares because some brokers now allow you to purchase fractional shares of major stocks. 

3. Choose Your Order Type

When you’ve monitored the changes that AZN stock is making on the market and you’ve decided that now is the time to invest, you’ll place your order through your broker’s trading platform. Most brokers offer access to a number of types of buy orders. Some of the most common buy orders your broker might offer access to include:

• Market orders: Market orders are executed at the current market price.
• Limit orders: Limit orders are executed at or below a price that you set when placing the order. For example, you might set a limit order to buy 5 shares of AZN at or below a price of $50 a share.
• Stop order: A stop order is executed if the price of AZN rises above a specific price. For example, you might set a stop order to execute a market buy if AZN rises above the price of $55 a share.
• Trailing stop order: A trailing stop order is a market order that is executed only if the price of AZN rises a specific percentage above its lowest price. You can typically choose to calculate your stop price in terms of percentages (for example, 5% above the lowest price point) or in terms of dollars ($5 above its lowest price).
• Stop-limit order: A stop-limit order combines the characteristics of both a stop order and a limit order. You’ll first choose a “stop” price that starts the order. If the stop price is reached, the order converts to a limit order and begins execution. You’ll also choose a limit price that stops your order. If the limit price is reached, your broker will stop filling your order. 

4. Execute Your Trade

After you place your order, your broker will fill it according to your instructions. When the order is complete, you’ll see your shares in your brokerage account.  

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AstraZeneca PLC Stock History

AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company active in a variety of areas of medical research and development. AstraZeneca produces medical products for a very wide selection of illnesses and conditions, ranging from cancer to gastrointestinal discomfort, respiratory and immunology treatments, Guillain-Barre Syndrome and/or cardiovascular, renal and metabolic treatments. 

With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, AstraZeneca's stock experienced a notable surge in activity driven by its role in vaccine development. Partnering with the University of Oxford, the company swiftly moved into clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine, known as Vaxzevria, which generated significant public and media interest.

Following the positive results from trials, AstraZeneca's stock witnessed rapid growth as investors recognized the potential for both revenue generation and a strengthened market position stemming from their involvement in addressing the global crisis.

Despite some controversies surrounding the vaccine—such as concerns about side effects and supply chain issues—AstraZeneca's stock maintained a relatively strong performance throughout 2021 and into 2022. The company's ability to fulfill contracts and maintain vaccine production highlighted its operational resilience, even amidst the complexities of a rapidly evolving pandemic landscape.

As the world moved into 2023 and beyond, AstraZeneca's stock reflected the evolving uncertainties in global health dynamics. Investors have remained attentive to the company's ability to sustain its growth trajectory beyond the pandemic period, with eyes on long-term prospects in its diverse portfolio of medicine.

As of early 2024, investor interest in AstraZeneca is likely influenced by not only its past performance during COVID-19 but also the ongoing developments in drug research, regulatory approvals and their capacity to adapt to a post-pandemic healthcare landscape.

Source: TradingView

Pros of Buying AstraZeneca PLC Stock

Investing in AstraZeneca stock presents a range of advantages that can appeal to both seasoned investors and newcomers alike.

• Strong market position: AstraZeneca is a leading global biopharmaceutical company that has a solid portfolio of patented drugs and strong pipeline candidates. Their current market position and steady revenue growth from key products provide a potentially reliable investment opportunity.
• Diverse product range: With a diverse range of products across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, respiratory, cardiovascular and immunology, AstraZeneca is well-positioned to benefit from multiple market segments. This diversification can help mitigate risks associated with dependency on any single product line.
• Innovation and research focus: AstraZeneca prioritizes research and development, investing significantly in innovative treatments and advancements in biotechnology. Their commitment to developing cutting-edge therapies enhances long-term growth prospects, particularly as they work on treatments for complex diseases and emerging health challenges.

Cons of Buying AstraZeneca PLC Stock

While there may be potential upsides to investing in AstraZeneca stock, it's also important to consider the potential downsides and risks associated with this investment.

• Market volatility: AstraZeneca's stock can be subject to significant price fluctuations driven by market conditions, economic factors, and industry news. This volatility can lead to potential losses for investors, particularly if market sentiment turns negative due to regulatory issues or competitive pressures.
• Dependence on pipeline success: AstraZeneca's future growth heavily relies on the successful development and commercialization of its drug pipeline. If key drugs under development face delays, fail to obtain regulatory approval or do not achieve commercial success, the stock could suffer substantial declines, undermining investor confidence.
• Regulatory risks: The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, and AstraZeneca faces risks related to changes in healthcare policies, pricing regulations and patent expirations. Any adverse regulatory developments can impact the company's profitability and potentially lead to stock price decreases, making it a risky investment in an unpredictable environment.

Manage Your Investments

Speculating on the future of companies and projects can be exciting. However, it’s important to remember that no share of stock is ever guaranteed to increase in value. Never invest more money than you can afford to lose in a single company. 

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