AstraZeneca Shares Surge 237th in Market Activity as Drug Tariff Exemption Hopes Boost Trading Volume

AstraZeneca (AZN) shares rose 2.35% on April 3, 2025, with a trading volume of 5.91 billion, ranking 237th in the day's market activity.

AstraZeneca and GSK shares rose on Thursday morning, avoiding a broader market sell-off. This was due to hopes that drug imports would be exempt from new 'reciprocal tariffs' announced by the White House. The clarification from the White House indicated that pharmaceutical products imported into the US would not be subject to higher-rate tariffs. Analysts from Shore Capital and UBS noted that while the 10% baseline tariff does not appear to affect pharmaceuticals, there is still some uncertainty regarding the broader implications for the industry. AstraZeneca and GSK have stated that they are assessing the potential impact and seeking to mitigate any risks. Analysts anticipate some share price volatility in the coming months as the situation becomes clearer.

On Thursday, AstraZeneca's shares crossed above their 200-day moving average of $74.60, reaching as high as $75.70 per share. This technical indicator suggests a bullish trend for the stock. Additionally, AstraZeneca's Imfinzi received FDA approval for an expanded use in bladder cancer, which could further boost investor confidence in the company's pipeline and growth prospects.

Despite the positive news, there is still some bearish sentiment in the market. Options trading data showed heavy put volume in AstraZeneca, with 10,034 puts trading, indicating a directional bearish outlook. However, AstraZeneca remains a top pick for Bank of America, with analysts raising their earnings forecasts for the company. This suggests that while there may be short-term volatility, the long-term outlook for AstraZeneca remains positive.