AstraZeneca PLC (AZN): Today's Featured Drugs Loser

AstraZeneca (AZN) pushed the Drugs industry lower today making it today's featured Drugs loser. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.8%. By the end of trading, AstraZeneca fell 65 cents (-1.4%) to $46.69 on heavy volume. Throughout the day, 2.8 million shares of AstraZeneca exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 1.8 million shares. The stock ranged in price between $45.82-$46.77 after having opened the day at $46.16 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $47.34. Other company's within the Drugs industry that declined today were: Targacept Inc (TRGT), down 60.2%, Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (LGND), down 23.6%, Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMLN), down 11%, and iBio Inc (IBIO), down 9.6%.

AstraZeneca PLC discovers, develops, and commercializes prescription medicines for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, infection, neuroscience, oncology, and respiratory and inflammation diseases worldwide. AstraZeneca has a market cap of $65.3 billion and is part of the health care sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 8.6, above the average drugs industry P/E ratio of 8.2 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are up 3.4% year to date as of the close of trading on Monday.

TheStreet Ratings rates AstraZeneca as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its impressive record of earnings per share growth, compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

• You can view the full AstraZeneca Ratings Report.

On the positive front, K-V Pharmaceutical Company (KV.A), up 91.3%, K-V Pharmaceutical Company (KV.B), up 61.4%, Opexa Therapeutics Inc (OPXA), up 33%, and Tibet Pharmaceuticals Inc (TBET), up 11.9%, were all gainers within the drugs industry with Celgene Corporation (CELG) being today's featured drugs industry winner.

• Use our drugs section to find industry-relevant news.
• Or find some new ideas from our top rated stocks lists.

For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the drugs industry could consider SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) while those bearish on the drugs industry could consider ProShares UltraShort Nasdaq Biotech (BIS).

• Find other investment ideas from our top rated ETFs lists.

For more information on AstraZeneca PLC click any of the following:

• AstraZeneca PLC Stock Price

• AstraZeneca PLC Analyst Ratings

• AstraZeneca PLC Key Stats & Profile

• AstraZeneca PLC Earnings

• AstraZeneca PLC Ratio Comparison

• AstraZeneca PLC Growth Rates

• AstraZeneca PLC Balance Sheet

• AstraZeneca PLC Cash Flow

• AstraZeneca PLC Income Statement