AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering, developing, and commercialising innovative medicines for patients worldwide. Investing in AstraZeneca shares can be a great way to participate in the growth of this leading pharmaceutical company. However, if you are new to investing, buying this company’s shares can be daunting.
With this in mind, we decided to prepare this guide to take you through the steps involved in purchasing AstraZeneca stocks. You will also understand the top brokers for buying the shares of AstraZeneca, how to place an order, and what to consider before choosing a broker. This way, you are fully prepared to start your stock investment venture.
In this guide
Top 3 Brokers for Buying AstraZeneca Shares
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. To buy the shares of AstraZeneca, you need the best stock broker with access to these exchanges. The best element about using stock brokers to invest in the shares of AstraZeneca is that they allow you to trade the asset as CFDs or indices. Keep in mind that AstraZeneca is also a member of the FTSE 100.
Sadly, there are a gazillion stock brokers in the UK, thus making it challenging for investors to select the best. In this regard, we did all the legwork required in research and list below the top three stock brokers for buying and trading AZN stock. Remember, every broker has its own unique features, and comparing them to select the best for your needs is crucial.
1. eToro
eToro has access to the NYSE and LSE, where the stock of AstraZeneca is listed under the AZN symbol. Therefore, if you want to purchase this company’s shares and take full ownership, eToro is the best platform for you. You can also use the broker to trade the asset as CFDs or indices. If you are a beginner or a trader on a low budget, you can use eToro to purchase the AZN shares in fractions. Simply ensure you create an investment account and meet its minimum deposit requirement of $100.
Note that eToro is a user-friendly stock broker with an intuitive user interface. Although its spreads for share investment are relatively high, there is no commission fee. Deposits are also free of charge*, but expect a $5 withdrawal fee. The broker lists plenty of learning resources and an award-winning social trading platform to ensure you enjoy your experience.
*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
- Commission-free share investment
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Allow you to buy AZN stocks and trade them as CFDs or indices
- Quality learning resources for skills development
- Features limited advanced trading tools for professional traders and investors
- Has hidden charges (withdrawal fee)
2. Plus500
We consider Plus500 as another top* stock broker for trading the shares of AstraZeneca because of its seamless operations and excellent testimonials from users on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. Besides having a fast trade execution speed, Plus500 is ranked as one of the best trading apps** for Android and iOS users. It is also licensed and regulated by multiple tier-one authorities, thus guaranteeing a secure and exciting trading experience.
With Plus500, you can only trade AstraZeneca shares as CFDs, whereby you get to speculate on the asset’s increasing or falling price to benefit from the price difference. Its minimum deposit requirement is £100, which, compared to other brokers, is low. There are also no transaction fees or commissions; you will only pay spreads starting at 0.0 pips.
*Investment Trends 2022
**best rated mobile app
✔ Regulated in many countries
- Low minimum deposit requirement
- Fast and reliable trade execution speed
- Leverage options of up to 300:1 for professional CFD traders
- Commission-free share CFD trading
- Its single proprietary platform might limit professional traders looking for advanced trading platforms
- Limited asset offerings for portfolio diversification
Note: 80% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
3. IG Markets
Last on our list is IG Markets, a pioneer stock broker with an excellent reputation not only in the UK but globally. Unfortunately, this broker allows you to trade AZN shares as CFDs or indices, thus limiting investors looking to purchase and take ownership of AstraZeneca shares. The good news is that IG Markets has an intuitive design platform and hosts quality trading and learning resources to benefit both newbies and professional CFD traders. It also features a social trading platform to connect you with like-0minded traders to share trading ideas.
To get started with IG Markets, traders must deposit at least £300 per its requirements. If you are a beginner, you can practice share trading on the IG Markets demo account before investing real money. Advanced traders will also benefit from the broker’s MT4, ProRealTime, and L-2 Dealer platforms for maximum experience.
✔ Leading broker with low fees
- A modern design platform with quality trading tools for market research and analysis
- Plenty of learning resources
- An award-winning social trading platform to mingle with global stock traders
- Advanced platforms featured for professional CFD traders
- High share CFD trading fees
- Newbies might find it challenging to navigate the broker’s platform
How to Buy AstraZeneca Shares With eToro
Many stock investors are sceptical about making the first move of investing in the stocks of AZN, thinking that the process is challenging. Fortunately, you can get started in minutes for as long as you understand the broker’s requirements/fees and ensure you can afford them.
To ensure you are fully prepared, we take you through the step-by-step procedures for buying AstraZeneca shares below. Keep in mind that you can apply these steps in any FCA-regulated stock broker with access to the exchanges that list AZN shares. We only use eToro as an example for better understanding.
To buy AstraZeneca shares with eToro, you first need to create an account with the platform. Therefore, head to eToro’s website and click on the “Join Now” button to begin the registration process. Ensure you start by understanding the broker’s terms and conditions and installing its trading app if you are always on the move.
On the registration page, fill in your email and create a password to secure your account. You will also share your personal details, including your name, email, phone number, and country of residence. The best element about eToro is that you can also sign up for an account using your Apple ID, Google, or Facebook.
To comply with regulatory requirements, eToro requires all users to verify their accounts by providing proof of identity and address. You can do this by uploading a copy of your government-issued ID and a recent utility bill or bank statement.
Once your account is verified, and you have received an email notification, you can add funds to your account using a variety of payment methods, including debit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets. Keep in mind that eToro has a highly encrypted platform with a minimum deposit requirement of $100.
On the eToro’s platform, find AstraZeneca shares using the ticker AZN via the search bar at the top of the screen. Once you’ve found the shares, click on the “Trade” button to open a position. You can choose to buy the shares outright or trade them as derivatives depending on the investment method you are familiar with.
To limit the risks of losing money, set up a stop loss or take profit order in your positions. Most importantly, monitor your investment in real-time and set up alerts to notify you of any changes in the price of AstraZeneca shares.
Tips on How to Choose the Best Stock Broker to Buy AstraZeneca Shares
When looking to invest in the shares of AstraZeneca, one of the most crucial decisions you will have to make is choosing a reliable stock broker. The broker should have features meeting your investment needs to guarantee maximum experience and potential. Above, we recommend the top three stock brokers for investing in the stock of AZN. Whether you decide to choose from our list or conduct your own research, here are the essential factors to consider to ensure you find the best.
The first thing you should consider when looking for the best stock broker to buy AstraZeneca shares is its credibility. Find a broker with a good reputation by analysing user comments and testimonials on Google Play, the App Store, and Trustpilot. You must also confirm whether it is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and has its platform highly encrypted for your funds’ safety.
A broker’s trading and non-trading fees should fit your budget, so you can efficiently plan your activities and invest without the fear of losing a lot of money. To ensure you are comfortable with a broker’s charges, confirm its minimum deposit requirement, spreads or commissions, transaction fees, inactivity costs, and more. Note that a broker should never have hidden charges to avoid surprises once you are already invested in your activities.
Before you start looking for a stock broker to invest in the shares of AstraZeneca, you should determine whether you want to trade the asset as CFDs, indices, or buy and take full ownership. Then, find a broker based on this goal and ensure it lists the shares for trading or investment. The best stock broker should also have additional securities, including commodities, forex, cryptocurrencies, and more, for portfolio diversification.
A good trading platform can make a significant difference in your ability to trade efficiently and effectively. Therefore, look for a broker that provides a user-friendly and intuitive design platform for an exciting trading experience. Also, prioritise a stock broker with a platform listing adequate real-time market data and analysis tools for streamlined strategy development. If you are always on the move, find a broker with a trading app so you can manage your activities whenever you are away from your trading station.
A responsive and reliable support service guarantees that your needs will be catered for whenever you experience any hiccups while trading or investing in AZN stock. Therefore, find a stock broker with a high reputation when it comes to customer service. It should also be available via multiple channels, including email, phone, and live chat. Remember, some support services operate 24/7 while others only five days a week. So, ensure you find a stock broker with support service whose availability aligns with your investment schedule.
AstraZeneca Shares Price Today
AstraZeneca is a biopharmaceutical company that has experienced exponential growth over the years. However, its share value keeps fluctuating, thus making it challenging for investors to understand its accurate price.
Below, we have prepared a live chart for you indicating the current value of AZN shares. This is so that you can easily plan for your activities and know when to make an investment move. With this live chart, you can also analyse AstraZeneca’s historical share values and make predictions that could bring about profits.
Note that having a live chart does not guarantee successful trades. You still need to conduct additional analysis by confirming what could affect the company’s stock value before making a final investment decision.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global pharmaceutical company formed in 1999 through the merger of Astra AB of Sweden and Zeneca Group plc of the UK. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and operates in over 100 countries globally. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of people worldwide through innovative medicines and healthcare solutions. The company focuses on developing drugs in the areas of oncology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, respiratory diseases, and immunology.
One of AstraZeneca’s most significant achievements in recent years is the development of a COVID-19 vaccine in collaboration with the University of Oxford. The vaccine, which was approved for emergency use in the UK in December 2020, has played a crucial role in the global effort to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
AstraZeneca’s pipeline of drugs includes several potential blockbusters in various stages of development. One of the most promising is Imfinzi, a drug for treating non-small cell lung cancer that has shown impressive results in clinical trials. Other notable drugs in development include Farxiga for treating heart failure, Calquence for treating lymphoma, and Brilinta for preventing heart attack and stroke.
The company has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. It has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint, increase its renewable energy use, and improve healthcare access in underserved communities. Such achievements continue to attract investors looking to be part of the company.
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.
Conclusion
We hope you are now ready to start investing in the stocks of AstraZeneca. Although our ultimate guide above will help you get started, consider conducting your own research on the company’s financials, industry trends, and management policies for the best decisions. Additionally, plan your activities and set aside funds you are comfortable losing in case an investment doesn’t work out as expected. You should also identify the best stock broker like the ones listed above and understand the risks of investing in AZN shares. This way, you can decide whether to buy the assets and take full ownership or trade them as derivatives.
25,000 hours of testing 70+ brokers. Our recommended broker is Plus500.
Our recommended broker is Plus500.