AstraZeneca PLC

Time for a quick look at another FTSE100 constituent.

And, for once, an interesting one!

AstraZeneca (AZN) is a large, diversified pharmaceutical company.

The market cap. is about £34 Billion, the yield is about 4% and the PE about 10.

AZN markets a bewildering array of drugs, some of which are growing some of which are not. The number of drugs on its books makes it hard to analyse but does lower the risk of a single drug falling out of favour.

AZN has been buying back its own shares aggressively recently.

In the last quarter EPS grew about 10% and it is submitting 3 new drug applications this year.

That is a very short and dry summary of AZN. But overall I like it! As a defensive portfolio member with a healthy dividend yield it has a place.

One to add to the wish list.