There’s something steady about AstraZeneca. It’s not just another name on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). It’s a company that’s been quietly shaping medicine for decades. If you’re thinking about buying AZN shares in the UK, this guide will show you how to get started. I will also share what to watch out for and how to make smarter choices along the way.
In this guide
How to Buy AstraZeneca Shares
To buy AstraZeneca shares in the UK, you will need to open an account with a stockbroker that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. AstraZeneca trades there under the ticker AZN. Once you get the process, it is not too complicated.
Beyond checking if the broker is authorised to offer its services in the UK, ensure it aligns with your investment preferences. Look into the platform’s features, including tools for research and analysis, how the app or site performs, the support team, and the list of assets available. Costs also matter, so examine both trading and non-trading fees before signing up.
I know how much time this part can take. That is why I will share three trusted brokers that I have personally tested. This way, you can narrow down your decision much faster.
Once you have chosen a broker, the next step is to create your account. Head to the official site, locate the ‘Register’ or ‘Join’ button, and fill in the form with your details. These include your full name, where you live, your source of income, phone, email, and more. Also, create a username and a password that is strong enough to keep your personal data and information safe.
Most FCA-licensed brokers require you to undergo an identity verification check. You will be asked to upload a copy of an identification document, such as your passport or driving licence. The broker will also request a recent bank statement or utility bill to confirm your address.
You will get a confirmation email once your account is active. Now you can go ahead and deposit money. Make sure you meet the broker’s minimum deposit requirement.
Most brokers I have tested accept a variety of payment methods. These include card payments, bank transfers, and digital wallets like PayPal or Skrill. Pick what is easiest for you and follow the steps for a smooth transaction.
After your deposit is confirmed, your broker will give you access to its list of tradable stocks. Use the search bar and type in ‘AstraZeneca’ or the ‘AZN’ symbol. Click on it to open the company’s page. You will see its current price, chart, historical performance, and company information.
Before opening a position, spend time going through price history and recent market trends. This can help you figure out when it might be the right time to enter or exit a trade.
The good thing is that you do not have to buy a full AstraZeneca share. Most brokers now support fractional shares. That means you can invest with as little as £10 or £20. You can place a market order, which buys the stock at its current price, or use a limit order to set your own price.
Once you place your order and it is completed, you officially own AstraZeneca shares. You will also be eligible for dividend payments when they are paid out.
For investors who would rather trade price movements without owning the stock, AstraZeneca can also be traded through contracts for difference CFDs or in index baskets. Please ensure you are aware of the risks associated with leverage and speculative trades. Utilise stop-loss and other risk management tools to effectively manage your risk.
Best Brokers to Invest in AstraZeneca Shares in the UK
AstraZeneca stocks are listed on the London Stock Exchange with a secondary listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the OMX exchange under the AZN ticker symbol. Keep in mind that AstraZeneca is also a member of the FTSE 100.
As mentioned earlier, choosing the right broker can have a significant impact on your overall investing experience. Below are the top three I have personally tried and found reliable for buying AstraZeneca shares in the UK.
1. eToro
eToro is one of the most popular broking firms not only in the UK but across the globe. From my experience, it is user-friendly with customisable features. Any user, whether a newbie or professional, will enjoy their experience with this broker.
To buy AZN stocks with eToro, a minimum deposit of £50 is required. Fortunately, the broker supports deposits using multiple payment methods, including debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Besides AstraZeneca, there are over 6,000 global stocks from 20 exchanges and additional asset classes for portfolio diversification.
I like that eToro hosts numerous learning materials and a £100,000 virtually funded demo account. Moreover, it supports copy and social trading via its CopyTrader platform. I find these features excellent for newbies trying to learn the share market while risking their hard-earned money.
eToro not only allows you to invest in AZN shares, but you can also buy the shares in fractions with as little as £10. And if you do not want to take ownership of the stock, you can trade it as CFDs, where you only speculate on the stock’s price movement to earn profit from the difference.
*A conversion fee may be applied as withdrawals and deposits are conducted in USD. Any other currency will have to be converted.
Disclaimer: eToro is a multi-asset platform which offers both investing in stocks and cryptoassets, as well as trading CFDs.
Please note that CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. {etoroCFDrisk}% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Zero commission means that no broker fee will be charged when opening or closing the position and does not apply to short or leveraged positions. Other fees apply including FX fees on non-USD deposits and withdrawals. Your capital is at risk. For more information, click here.
✔Low minimum to fund an account and begin investing
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- A user-friendly and modern design trading platform
- Free deposits and withdrawals from GBP and EUR to external accounts
- No commissions on stock CFD trading positions
- Has a professional account with more quality features for advanced traders
- Charges a £10 monthly inactivity fee to accounts with no logins in the previous 12 months
- No third-party trading platforms
2. XTB
XTB is another go-to platform for buying AstraZeneca stocks. You can also use it to invest in other global equities, such as Tesla, Netflix, Amazon, Apple, and many more. Overall, I discovered over 5,000 stocks from 14 markets. The best part is that users can enjoy 0% commission on investing up to 100,000 EUR of equivalent monthly turnover. Investments above this limit attract a 0.2% commission.
If you are a beginner and are not willing to risk a lot of money on AZN shares, XTB supports fractional share purchases from as little as £10. I also find the learning resources comprehensive. Combined with a demo account, you are guaranteed a good head start.
Another XTB feature worth mentioning is the ability to earn interest on your uninvested funds. For UK clients, you can earn up to 4.5% interest on your uninvested funds in the ISA account. Note that the rates might change, so keep checking the broker’s official website for accurate figures.
When it comes to market analysis resources, XTB hosts numerous quality options on its xStation 5 platform. I also find the mobile app reliable and easy to navigate. It has excellent reviews on Google Play and the App Store. Other assets for portfolio diversification include forex, commodities, indices, and ETFs.
✔ Wide range of global markets
- Commission-free AZN stock investing
- Free deposits and withdrawals
- Additional stocks and assets for portfolio diversification
- Operates seamlessly on desktop and mobile devices
- Offers the opportunity to earn interest on uninvested funds
- No minimum deposit requirement
- No third-party platforms like the MT4/MT5
- No algorithmic trading
3. IG Markets
IG Markets has come a long way and continues to adapt to the advancing technology to ensure its users get the best services. After testing it, I highly recommend it to UK investors looking to put up their money in AstraZeneca stocks and other equities.
Overall, IG Markets hosts over 11,000 global stocks to invest in commission-free. Based on your risk tolerance and experience level, you can choose to invest in AZN shares using the IG Invest, web-based share dealing or L-2 Dealer platforms. For newbies, I recommend the IG Invest, as it has beginner-friendly features.
This broker doesn’t stop here. I noticed that it also hosts multiple trading accounts with unique features for all types of traders. There are the GIA, ISA, and SIPP accounts. Some of the services you get to enjoy include automated trading, social trading, and expertly managed investment portfolios.
For those looking to diversify their portfolios with other asset classes, IG Markets gives access to forex, commodities, indices, ETFs, bonds, and more. You can trade these as CFDs or spread betting via its Web, MT4, ProRealTime, and TradingView platforms.
✔ Leading broker with low fees
- Commission-free AZN stock investing
- No minimum deposit requirement
- Free deposits and withdrawals using multiple payment methods
- Multiple trading accounts and platforms to choose from
- Quality learning and market analysis tools
- Share CFD trading attracts high commissions
- No MT5 trading platform
AstraZeneca Shares Price Today
The price of AstraZeneca shares moves constantly with the market. What you see this morning might change by the afternoon. Prices reflect a mix of financial performance, market sentiment, and broader economic factors.
Understanding how the price of AstraZeneca shares has moved over the past year or more can help you spot patterns and make better investment decisions. However, note that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns, but it helps give you context.
Below, we share a live chat to give you updates on the AZN share price.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, headquartered in Cambridge, England. It was formed in 1999 through the merger of Sweden’s Astra AB and the UK’s Zeneca Group. Since then, it has grown into one of the largest drug companies in the world.
The company is known for producing medicines across major disease areas like oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, immunology, and rare diseases. It played a major role in the global COVID-19 vaccine rollout and continues to invest heavily in research and development.
AstraZeneca operates in more than 100 countries and spends billions annually on scientific innovation. The company’s pipeline of new treatments is extensive, giving it long-term growth potential and an edge in competitive sectors of healthcare.
Is AstraZeneca a Safe Investment?
No stock is fully safe, and AstraZeneca shares are no exception. However, it does offer a level of stability that some investors find appealing. The company has a diversified product base and generates consistent revenue across multiple global markets.
But there are still risks. Drug development takes time and can fail. Regulatory setbacks, lawsuits, or changes in healthcare policy could affect its earnings. Market downturns and global events like pandemics also influence share performance or value.
To manage risk, diversify your portfolio. Do not put all your money into AZN alone. Spread it across other equities or ETFs so you limit the risk of losing a lot of money in one asset investment.
Additionally, use tools like stop-loss or take-profit orders, which close your positions at a certain specified level. For beginners, start with a smaller amount and increase it as you become familiar with the market and gain confidence. Learn to track earnings reports, pipeline updates, and sector trends. That way, you will not be investing blindly but with strategy and awareness.
FAQs
Yes. AstraZeneca’s share price constantly fluctuates due to various market and economic conditions. For this reason, it is challenging for us to determine whether the value will rise or not. The good news is that the company is always strategic to ensure its revenue grows, thus increasing its growth potential.
Yes. Based on our ultimate review of the company, we believe that AstraZeneca has a growth potential, thus making its share a good buy. However, the decision to buy AZN shares depends on various individual factors like your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment strategy. We advise you to conduct a thorough analysis with the help of our live chart above for informed decisions.
The largest institutional investor in AstraZeneca is BlackRock, Inc., with a 7.09% ownership stake. Other significant institutional investors in AstraZeneca included The Vanguard Group, Inc., Norges Bank Investment Management, and Capital Research & Management Co.
If you hold AstraZeneca shares, you can sell them through a stock broker like the ones we reference in our mini reviews above. Keep in mind that selling the shares may attract commissions or transaction fees, so you should consider these costs before making any decision.
Expert Opinion
I see AstraZeneca as a strong option for long-term investors who want exposure to the healthcare sector without chasing overly risky biotech startups. It has a mature business model, a history of strong partnerships, and a commitment to innovation. The COVID-19 vaccine brought attention to the company, but its future lies in areas like oncology and rare diseases, where margins are higher.
Note that this stock isn’t cheap, and that reflects the company’s position as a market leader. However, price alone should not be the only factor in deciding whether to invest. Look at earnings, research and development pipeline, dividend policies, and market demand. If you plan to hold the shares for years and can handle some short-term fluctuations, AstraZeneca can be a valuable part of a diversified portfolio.
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25,000 hours of testing 70+ brokers. Our recommended broker is Pepperstone.
Our recommended broker is Pepperstone.
