AstraZeneca's Stock Slides 0.07% as Trading Volume Plunges 31.94% to $0.2B Ranking 445th in Daily Activity

On August 21, 2025, AstraZeneca (AZN) saw a 0.07% decline in its stock price, with a trading volume of $0.20 billion, representing a 31.94% drop from the previous day’s volume. The company’s shares ranked 445th in trading activity for the day.

AstraZeneca secured regulatory approval for Beyfortus (nirsevimab) in Singapore, marking a significant expansion in its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention portfolio. The company also partnered with Polaris Pharmacy Services to distribute FluMist® Home Service, its first at-home nasal spray flu vaccine, enhancing accessibility for U.S. consumers. Additionally, the acquisition of FibroGen China was approved by Chinese regulators, strengthening AstraZeneca’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Strategic collaborations continued to shape the company’s innovation pipeline. AstraZeneca expanded its AI-driven partnership with SOPHiA GENETICS to improve breast cancer patient outcomes, leveraging data analytics for precision medicine. The company also reached an agreement with Canada’s pCPA to provide Ultomiris for rare diseases, broadening access to its therapies in neuromyelitis optica and myasthenia gravis treatments.

Corporate recognition further bolstered the firm’s profile. AstraZeneca received the 2025 ACE Awards from the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association for its workforce innovation initiatives. However, market sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing U.S. regulatory pressures, including President Trump’s demands for lower drug prices, which had previously caused volatility in European pharmaceutical stocks.

The strategy of buying the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to 2025 delivered a 1.98% average 1-day return, with a total return of 7.61% over 365 days. The Sharpe ratio of 0.94 indicated favorable risk-adjusted returns, though the maximum drawdown of -29.16% highlighted exposure to market downturns.