Astra Zeneca maintains its 2017 interim dividend

DividendMax Ltd.

Astra Zeneca maintains its 2017 interim dividend

Financial Highlights

·      The residual effects of the Crestor and Seroquel XR loss of exclusivity in the US impacted Product Sales

·      Cost discipline continued:

Reported R&D costs declined by 5% (1% at CER) to $2,802m

Core R&D costs declined by 7% (4% at CER) to $2,617m

Reported SG&A costs declined by 17% (15% at CER) to $4,658m

Core SG&A costs declined by 12% (9% at CER) to $3,728m

·      Reported Other Operating Income and Expense increased by 97% (101% at CER) to $839m; Core Other Operating Income and Expense increased by 105% (108% at CER) to $958m

·      Reported EPS increased by 58% (41% at CER) to $0.80; Core EPS increased by 5% (1% at CER) to $1.86

·      An unchanged first interim dividend of $0.90 per share

·      Financial guidance for 2017 reiterated

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