Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

The new VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay fulfils an unmet medical need by helping clinicians identify patients with PTEN protein loss who may benefit from combination treatment with TRUQAP In prostate cancer, PTEN protein loss is associated with faster disease progression and reduced benefit from current standard-of-care treatments1 The FDA approval reinforces Roche’s leadership in companion diagnostics and its ongoing commitment to expanding personalised healthcare to improve patient outcomes

Basel, 12 June 2026 - Roche (SIX: RO, ROP; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today that the VENTANAⓇ PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay is the first immunohistochemistry (IHC) companion diagnostic test to receive U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for determining PTEN protein loss, also known as PTEN deficiency, in tumours of patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. These patients may now be eligible for treatment with AstraZeneca’s targeted therapy TRUQAPⓇ (capivasertib).

“Prostate cancer is one of the leading cancer diagnoses for men in the United States,” said Matt Sause, CEO of Roche Diagnostics. “The FDA approval of our new companion diagnostic will provide clinicians with a vital tool to identify patients with PTEN loss and potentially provide new therapeutic options.”

PTEN is a tumour suppressor protein and loss of PTEN is commonly observed in a variety of cancers.2 Roche’s test enables patients with PTEN-deficient prostate cancer to potentially benefit from a combination treatment with TRUQAP. TRUQAP provides a new, first-line treatment option for patients with PTEN-deficient metastatic androgen pathway modulation-naïve or sensitive (mAPMN/S) prostate cancer, previously referred to as metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC).3

Metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer is an aggressive form of prostate cancer and treatments specifically targeting the PTEN protein loss biology were previously not available. The average length of survival after new, metastatic prostate cancer diagnosis is about 5 to 6 years.4 About 25% of patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer have PTEN-deficient tumors as evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC).1

Foundation Medicine, an independent affiliate of the Roche Group, is one laboratory using the VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay companion diagnostic kit to help healthcare providers identify patients with PTEN protein loss.

About the VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay The VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay is a qualitative immunohistochemical assay intended to be used in the assessment of PTEN protein in prostate adenocarcinoma. The OptiView DAB IHC Detection Kit is used for staining on a BenchMark ULTRA instrument. The assay is indicated as an aid in identifying patients with prostate adenocarcinoma who may be eligible for treatment with TRUQAP in combination with abiraterone acetate in accordance with the approved therapeutic product labeling.

Story Continues

The approval of the VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay is based on the results of the CAPItello-281 clinical study where it was used as the enrollment assay to identify patients whose tumours exhibited PTEN deficiency. The clinical cutoff for PTEN protein loss status is ≥ 90% of viable malignant cells with no specific cytoplasmic staining. PTEN protein loss status is based on the pathologist’s observation of an absence or presence of PTEN expression within prostate adenocarcinoma.5 Patients who received combination therapy with TRUQAP experienced a statistically significant and clinically meaningful reduction in disease progression.1

About Roche Roche (SIX: RO, ROP; OTCQX: RHHBY) is a healthcare company uniquely placed to prevent, stop and cure diseases by uniting leading science and technology across diagnostics, medicines and digital solutions.

Roche was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1896 and today is a leading provider of transformative medicines and diagnostics for millions of people in over 150 countries around the world. It is dedicated to tackling healthcare challenges that place the greatest strain on patients, families, communities and healthcare systems. Across its Diagnostics and Pharmaceutical divisions, Roche focuses on areas including oncology, neurology, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, ophthalmology, infectious diseases and immunology with the aim of providing real and positive change for patients, the people they love and the professionals who care for them.

Genentech in the United States is a fully owned subsidiary in the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, a major innovator in the Japanese therapeutic antibody market.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References [1] Fizazi K, Clarke NW, De Santis M, Uemura H, Fay AP, Karadurmus N, Kwiatkowski M, Alvarez-Fernandez C, Jiang S, Sotelo M, Parslow D, Oliveira N, Kwon TG, Ye D, Boudewijns S, Danchaivijitr P, Rooney C, Gresty C, Yeste-Velasco M, Logan J, George DJ; CAPItello-281 Study Group. Capivasertib plus abiraterone in PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer: CAPItello-281 phase III study. Ann Oncol. 2026 Jan;37(1):53-68. [2] Luongo F, Colonna F, Calapà F, Vitale S, Fiori ME, De Maria R. PTEN Tumor-Suppressor: The Dam of Stemness in Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2019 Jul 30;11(8):1076. doi: 10.3390/cancers11081076. PMID: 31366089; PMCID: PMC6721423. [3] AstraZeneca. Truqap combination in PTEN-deficient metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer demonstrated statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in radiographic progression-free survival in CAPItello-281 Phase III trial [Internet; published 2024 Nov 25; cited 2026 Feb 20]. Available from: https://www.astrazeneca.com/media-centre/press-releases/2024/truqap-improved-rpfs-in-advanced-prostate-cancer.html. [4] MD Anderson Cancer Center. What to know about metastatic prostate cancer [Internet; published 2024 Dec 4; cited 2026 Feb 20]. The University of Texas. Available from: https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/what-to-know-about-metastatic-prostate-cancer.h00-159703068.html#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20survival%20rate,doctor%20about%20your%20specific%20prognosis. [5] VENTANA PTEN (SP218) RxDx Assay Method Sheet (D206480 Rev 1), 2025.

Roche Global Media RelationsPhone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Lorena Corfas Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Kirti Pandey Phone: +41 79 398 38 53 Yvette Petillon Phone: +41 79 961 92 50 Dr Rebekka Schnell Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Irène Stephan Phone: +41 79 377 83 75

Attachment

Media Release PTEN FDA approval English

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Find winning stocks in any market cycle. Join 7 million investors using Simply Wall St's investing ideas for FREE.

AstraZeneca (LSE:AZN) is advancing its oral GLP-1 candidate elecoglipron into Phase 3 trials after positive Phase 2b results. The move marks a significant push into obesity and diabetes treatments, areas of strong pharmaceutical and investor focus. This development represents a material expansion of AstraZeneca's late stage pipeline beyond its existing focus areas.

AstraZeneca, known for its oncology and rare disease portfolio, is now moving deeper into metabolic disease with elecoglipron, an oral GLP-1 candidate. GLP-1 therapies have become a major focus across the pharmaceutical industry as companies respond to demand for obesity and diabetes treatments. By progressing elecoglipron to Phase 3, AstraZeneca is positioning itself alongside peers that are investing in this therapeutic category.

For investors tracking LSE:AZN, this adds an additional area of potential value alongside the existing franchises. As Phase 3 gets underway, attention may focus on trial design, safety profile, and how an oral option could compare with injectable GLP-1 therapies in terms of patient preference and market reach.

Stay updated on the most important news stories for AstraZeneca by adding it to your watchlist or portfolio. Alternatively, explore our Community to discover new perspectives on AstraZeneca.LSE:AZN Earnings & Revenue Growth as at Jun 2026

4 things going right for AstraZeneca that this headline doesn't cover.

Quick Assessment

✅ Price vs Analyst Target: At £134.64 versus a consensus target of about £165.14, the stock trades roughly 19% below analyst expectations. ✅ Simply Wall St Valuation: Shares are described as trading 40.9% below an estimated fair value, which is a sizable discount. ❌ Recent Momentum: The price has slipped 0.3% over the last 30 days, so sentiment has been slightly negative in the very short term.

There's only one way to know the right time to buy, sell or hold AstraZeneca. Head to Simply Wall St's company report for the latest analysis of AstraZeneca's Fair Value.

Key Considerations

📊 Elecoglipron moving into Phase 3 adds a fresh obesity and diabetes angle on top of AstraZeneca's existing franchises. This could broaden the long term revenue mix if the program progresses successfully. 📊 Watch Phase 3 trial timelines, safety data, and how an oral GLP-1 profile might position against injectable competitors in terms of adherence and potential market share. ⚠️ The company carries a high level of debt and there has been significant insider selling in the past three months. These are important context points when assessing any new pipeline-driven excitement.

Story Continues

Dig Deeper

For the full picture including more risks and rewards, check out the complete AstraZeneca analysis. Alternatively, you can check out the community page for AstraZeneca to see how other investors believe this latest news will impact the company's narrative.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AZN.L.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Merck's MRK stock climbed above its 50-day SMA from early June after trading below it for most of May. However, the stock has consistently been trading above its 200-day SMA since October 2025, which suggests that the stock is in a long-term uptrend. The stock's recent return to above the 50-day SMA mark signals improving intermediate-term momentum.Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Ideally, stocks that regain their 50-day SMA while already holding above the 200-day SMA are often viewed as having a favorable risk-reward profile because the long-term trend never broke down.

However, to make a proper investment decision, one should properly assess a company's strengths and weaknesses. Let's break down.

Keytruda: Merck's Biggest Strength

Merck boasts more than six blockbuster drugs in its portfolio, with Keytruda being the key top-line driver. Keytruda, approved for several types of cancer, alone accounts for around 55% of the company's pharmaceutical sales. Keytruda now holds 44 FDA-approved indications spanning 19 tumor types, along with two tumor-agnostic approvals.

The drug has played an instrumental role in driving Merck's steady revenue growth over the past few years. Keytruda recorded sales of $8.0 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 8% year over year.

Keytruda sales are gaining from continued strong momentum in metastatic indications and rapid uptake across earlier-stage launches. The company expects the growth to continue till it loses patent exclusivity in 2028.

Merck is working on different strategies to drive Keytruda's long-term growth. These include innovative immuno-oncology combinations, including Keytruda with LAG3 and CTLA-4 inhibitors. In partnership with Moderna MRNA, Merck is developing a personalized mRNA therapeutic cancer vaccine called intismeran autogene (V940/mRNA-4157) in combination with Keytruda in pivotal phase III studies for earlier-stage and adjuvant NSCLC and adjuvant melanoma.

Merck expects Keytruda to achieve peak sales of $35 billion by 2028. Merck's other oncology drugs, Welireg, AstraZeneca AZN-partnered Lynparza and Eisai-partnered Lenvima, are also contributing to top-line growth.

Merck's Animal Health business is also a key contributor to its top-line growth, with sales expected to more than double by mid-2030s.

MRK's Pipeline Progress & Recent M&A Spree

Merck's expanding drug pipeline and potential new blockbuster drugs beyond Keytruda look encouraging.

Its phase III pipeline has almost tripled since 2021, supported by in-house pipeline progress as well as the addition of candidates through M&A deals. Merck expects to launch 20 new drugs by 2030, with many already launched.

Story Continues

Its new products, pulmonary arterial hypertension drug, Winrevair, cancer drug, Welireg and 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Capvaxive, have begun to contribute significantly to top-line growth.

Merck's RSV antibody, Enflonsia (clesrovimab), was approved in the United States in June 2025 and in the EU in April 2026. A once-daily, single-tablet two-drug regimen of doravirine and islatravir, Idvynso, was approved in the United States for virologically suppressed HIV-1 in April 2026.

The company has other promising candidates in its late-stage pipeline, such as enlicitide decanoate/MK-0616, an oral PCSK9 inhibitor for hypercholesterolemia, tulisokibart, a TL1A inhibitor for ulcerative colitis and Daiichi-Sankyo-partnered antibody-drug conjugates.

Merck has been on an acquisition spree in the past year, as it faces the looming patent expiration of Keytruda in 2028. The acquisition of Verona in 2025 added Ohtuvayre, a novel, first-in-class maintenance treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with multibillion-dollar commercial potential. Ohtuvayre's commercial launch is off to a solid start.

In January 2026, Merck acquired Cidara Therapeutics, which added its lead pipeline candidate, MK-1406 (formerly CD388), a first-in-class long-acting, strain-agnostic antiviral agent, currently being evaluated in late-stage studies for the prevention of seasonal influenza in individuals at higher risk of complications.

In April 2026, it acquired California-based cancer biotech, Terns Pharmaceuticals, which added Terns' lead chronic myeloid leukemia candidate, TERN-701, a novel oral allosteric inhibitor of the BCR::ABL oncogene, to Merck's hematology/cancer pipeline. Merk believes TERN-701 has multibillion-dollar commercial potential.

Declining Sales of MRK's Gardasil & Other Vaccines

Sales of Merck's second-largest product, its HPV vaccine, Gardasil, plunged 22% to $1.07 billion in the first quarter due to continued weak sales performance in China. Sales of Gardasil are declining in China due to weak demand trends amid an economic slowdown. The company is also seeing lower demand for the vaccine in Japan. Gardasil sales are not expected to improve in 2026.

Sales of some other Merck vaccines, like Proquad, M-M-R II, Varivax, Rotateq and Vaxneuvance, also declined in the first quarter.

MRK's Keytruda Faces Patent Expiration in 2028

Merck is heavily reliant on Keytruda. Though Keytruda may be Merck's biggest strength and a solid reason to own the stock, the company is excessively dependent on the drug. Keytruda's core U.S. patent is expected to expire around 2028, with additional patents expiring slightly after that. Keytruda is expected to face significant biosimilar competition around 2028-2029. Once biosimilars enter, Keytruda's sales are likely to decline sharply.

Also, competitive pressure might increase for Keytruda in the near future from dual PD-1/VEGF inhibitors that inhibit both the PD-1 pathway and the VEGF pathway at once. They are designed to overcome the limitations of single-target therapies like Keytruda.

MRK's Generic Headwinds in 2026

MRK is seeing declining demand for its diabetes products (Januvia/Janumet) and the generic erosion of some drugs like Isentress/Isentress HD and Bridion in the European Union and Dificid in the United States. Bridion is expected to lose patent exclusivity in the United States in July 2026, and sales are expected to significantly decline thereafter. Sales of Januvia/Janumet are expected to decline steeply from 2026 onward due to government price setting, an anticipated patent expiry in 2026 and ongoing competitive pressure.

In 2026, Merck expects generic competition for Januvia/Janumet, Bridion and Dificid to hurt revenues by approximately $2.5 billion.

MRK Share Price, Valuation & Estimates

Merck's shares have risen 13.6% so far this year compared with an increase of 3.9% for the industry. The stock has also outperformed the sector as well as the S&P 500 index, as seen in the chart below.

Merck Stock Outperforms Industry, Sector & S&P 500Zacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

From a valuation standpoint, Merck looks reasonably priced. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 16.54 forward earnings, slightly lower than 17.59 for the industry. However, the stock is trading above its 5-year mean of 12.76.

MRK Stock ValuationZacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Estimates for MRK's 2026 earnings have risen from $5.14 to $5.17 per share over the past 60 days, while those for 2027 have declined from $9.87 per share to $9.85 per share.

MRK Estimate MovementZacks Investment Research

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Stay Invested in MRK Stock

Merck has one of the world's best-selling drugs in its portfolio, generating billions of dollars in revenues. Though Keytruda will lose patent exclusivity in 2028, its sales are expected to remain strong until then.

Merck expects over $70 billion of potential non-risk-adjusted commercial opportunity for the current pipeline by the mid-2030s. This estimate is more than double the peak consensus sales estimate for Keytruda of $35 billion in 2028. Merck said that the estimate of $70 billion was $20 billion higher than what they expected just one year ago.

The new products and strong progress in its pipeline have increased confidence that Merck may be able to maintain growth even after Keytruda loses exclusivity.

However, Merck faces several near-term challenges, including persistent challenges for Gardasil in China, potential competition for Keytruda, and rising competitive and generic pressure on some of its drugs.

Long-term investors may continue retaining this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock and see how the company manages its future product and pipeline growth and replaces Keytruda revenues. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) : Free Stock Analysis Report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) was among the stocks Jim Cramer discussed on Mad Money, along with the recent sell-off in the market. Cramer highlighted the company's stock transfer to the NYSE, as he remarked:

This morning, the pharmaceutical company, AstraZeneca, rang the opening bell to celebrate their transfer to the New York Stock Exchange. It's the largest transfer in the history of the 234-year-old institution. The British pharma stock has rallied 30% over the past 12 months. It's been a good one, and it's very much on track to hit the ambitious long-term financial targets they rolled out in 2024. That's largely thanks to the company's booming oncology business.

A stock market graph. Photo by Alesia Kozik on Pexels

AstraZeneca PLC (NYSE:AZN) manufactures prescription medicines for oncology, cardiovascular, respiratory, and rare diseases. During the January 30 episode, a caller noted that they were considering selling their position in the company's stock for a profit and buying ABBV. Cramer replied:

I like AstraZeneca very much. And that cancer franchise turned out to be a lot stronger than I thought. I think you should hold onto that. AbbVie reports this week. I expect a very good quarter. I like the dividend, but I think AstraZeneca has got a better portfolio at this very moment.

While we acknowledge the potential of AZN as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Key Points

The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF has outperformed the S&P 500 index in the past year (as of June 7). The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has delivered a trailing 12-month dividend yield of 3.30%. Since it owns more stocks from a wider range of markets, the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF could be a better choice for long-term investors.10 stocks we like better than iShares Trust - iShares Core Msci Total International Stock ETF ›

Buying international exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is an easy way to tap into the growth potential of stock markets beyond America. There's no guarantee that other countries' stock markets will outperform the S&P 500 index. But owning shares in international companies can be a way to protect against a downturn in U.S. tech stocks or hedge against the risk of a weaker U.S. dollar.

Two iShares ETFs offer slightly different approaches to buying global stocks, and one is more diversified than the other. The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF(NASDAQ: IXUS) offers exposure to more than 4,000 global stocks from a wide range of markets, while the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF(NYSEMKT: IEFA) holds about 2,600 stocks with a focus on developed markets.

Will AI create the world's first trillionaire? Our team just released a report on the one little-known company, called an "Indispensable Monopoly" providing the critical technology Nvidia and Intel both need. Continue »

In the past year, the more-diversified fund (IXUS) has slightly outperformed the S&P 500, with a total return of 25.8%:

IXUS Total Return Level data by YCharts

Understanding each international ETF's past performance and current holdings can help you decide which fund might be a better fit for your goals. Let's take a closer look.

Image source: Getty Images.

IXUS vs. IEFA: Head-to-head comparison

These two iShares international ETFs have some similarities. Both funds have low fees (expense ratios of 0.07%), and both are well diversified, with thousands of international stocks.

Here's a quick high-level comparison of these two ETFs: Metric iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) Number of stocks 4,344 2,625 Top 5 countries 1. Japan : 14.99% of fund

2. Taiwan: 9.01%

3. United Kingdom: 8.29%

4. Canada: 8.09%

5. South Korea: 7.15% 1. Japan: 25.49% of fund

6. United Kingdom: 14.08%

7. France: 9.01%

8. Switzerland: 8.51%

9. Germany: 8.17% Year-to-date return (by net asset value) 14.6% 9.5% 10-year average annual total returns 9.9% 9.4% Dividend yield (TTM) 2.9% 3.3% Expense ratio 0.07% 0.07% Price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio 18.97 18.27

Data source: iShares.

In general, buying a diversified portfolio of stocks is better than putting too many eggs in one basket. That holds true when comparing these two international ETFs. The iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF holds more stocks than the other fund, and it has outperformed year to date and in the past 10 years.

Both of these international ETFs offer strong dividend yields, but the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF has delivered a higher yield (3.3%). Both ETFs are priced more cheaply than the S&P 500 according to their price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios -- the S&P 500 has a P/E ratio of 31.83. Based on that valuation metric, international stocks might have more room to run.

What stocks are in IXUS and IEFA?

The different performance and dividend yields of these two international ETFs can be explained by what types of stocks and sectors are held by each fund. Each of these iShares funds invests in a slightly different mix of stocks, countries, and industries.

Here's a quick breakdown of the top five sector holdings of these two iShares ETFs: iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) Financials: 21.8% Financials: 22.6% Information technology: 20.9% Industrials: 19.7% Industrials: 15.0% Information technology: 11.3% Consumer discretionary: 8.2% Healthcare: 9.4% Materials: 7.5% Consumer discretionary: 8.7%

Data source: iShares.

Here's the biggest high-level difference between these two funds: the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF is more tech-heavy. About 21% its assets are invested in tech stocks, compared with only 11.3% for the other fund.

For example, if you look at the top five stock holdings, you see the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF is all tech stocks: iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF (IXUS) iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing: 4.35% of the fund ASML Holding: 2.62% Samsung Electronics: 2.35% HSBC Holdings: 1.25% SK Hynix: 1.75% Roche Holding: 1.15% ASML Holding: 1.55% AstraZeneca: 1.13% Tencent Holdings: 0.84% Novartis: 1.09%

Data source: iShares.

The top four holdings in the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF are all semiconductor stocks. They have performed well during the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but what if the AI boom turns into a bust? The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF top five holdings include one semiconductor stock (ASML Holding), but the other top holdings are financial (HSBC, a major international bank) and pharmaceutical giants.

Both funds are well-diversified, but one fund has a little more exposure to AI stocks. If you want to diversify your portfolio away from the U.S. tech boom (in case of a future tech downturn), the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF could be a better choice.

Why buy IXUS instead of IEFA?

Both of these iShares funds can be good choices for investors who are internationally minded and want to diversify beyond the U.S. market. They're both low-cost index funds. The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF ranks among the best international ETFs.

But I believe that diversification is valuable in the long run. If you look at the past 10 years of performance, the more diversified fund, the iShares Core MSCI Total International Stock ETF, has slightly outperformed:

IXUS Total Return Level data by YCharts

This fund owns more than 4,300 stocks across a wide range of countries, including emerging markets such as South Korea and Taiwan. That might make it more volatile in the short run. But as a long-term investor, I'd rather have exposure to the growth potential of the world's up-and-coming economies.

Should you buy stock in iShares Trust - iShares Core Msci Total International Stock ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in iShares Trust - iShares Core Msci Total International Stock ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and iShares Trust - iShares Core Msci Total International Stock ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $445,672! Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,280,566!

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 948% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of June 10, 2026.

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Ben Gran has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, AstraZeneca Plc, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool recommends HSBC Holdings and Roche Holding AG. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Make better investment decisions with Simply Wall St's easy, visual tools that give you a competitive edge.

If you are wondering whether AstraZeneca at £136.32 is still offering value after a strong run, the key question is how its current price lines up with its fundamentals. The stock has delivered returns of 3.2% over the past week, 2.2% over the last month and 27.6% over the past year, with an 81.6% return across five years, which naturally raises questions about growth potential and changes in perceived risk. Recent headlines around AstraZeneca have centred on its broad pharmaceutical pipeline and ongoing product development, keeping attention on how the company positions itself within global healthcare. This context helps explain why investors are closely watching shifts in sentiment and how those might be reflected in the share price. On Simply Wall St's valuation checks, AstraZeneca scores 4 out of 6. This sets the stage for a closer look at what different valuation methods suggest about the stock today and hints at a more holistic way to think about valuation later in this article.

AstraZeneca delivered 27.6% returns over the last year. See how this stacks up to the rest of the Pharmaceuticals industry.

Approach 1: AstraZeneca Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

A Discounted Cash Flow, or DCF, model estimates what a company could be worth today by projecting its future cash flows and discounting them back to a present value.

For AstraZeneca, the model used is a 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity approach based on cash flow projections. The latest twelve month free cash flow is about US$9.0b. Analyst estimates and subsequent extrapolations by Simply Wall St suggest projected free cash flow of roughly US$20.3b by 2030, with intermediate annual projections between 2026 and 2035 also taken into account and discounted accordingly.

Pulling those cash flows together, the DCF model points to an estimated intrinsic value of about £228.05 per share. Compared with the current share price of £136.32, this implies the stock is about 40.2% below that DCF estimate. This indicates that the shares trade at a significant discount to this particular cash flow based valuation.

Result: UNDERVALUED

Our Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis suggests AstraZeneca is undervalued by 40.2%. Track this in your watchlist or portfolio, or discover 8 more high quality undervalued stocks.AZN Discounted Cash Flow as at Jun 2026

Head to the Valuation section of our Company Report for more details on how we arrive at this Fair Value for AstraZeneca.

Story Continues

Approach 2: AstraZeneca Price vs Earnings

For profitable companies, the P/E ratio is a straightforward way to connect what you pay for the stock with the earnings the business is generating today. It helps you see how many pounds investors are currently willing to pay for each pound of earnings.

What counts as a "fair" P/E typically reflects how the market views a company's growth potential and risk. Higher expected growth or lower perceived risk can support a higher P/E, while lower growth or higher risk usually align with a lower multiple.

AstraZeneca currently trades on a P/E of 27.23x. That sits above the Pharmaceuticals industry average of 20.43x and above the peer group average of 11.37x, so on simple comparisons the stock carries a higher earnings multiple.

Simply Wall St's Fair Ratio for AstraZeneca is 35.46x. This is a proprietary estimate of what P/E might be reasonable after considering factors such as earnings growth, profit margins, the company's size, industry and specific risks. Because it brings these elements together, the Fair Ratio can give a more tailored reference point than a broad industry or peer average.

Comparing the current P/E of 27.23x with the Fair Ratio of 35.46x suggests the shares are trading below that Fair Ratio estimate.

Result: UNDERVALUEDLSE:AZN P/E Ratio as at Jun 2026

P/E ratios tell one story, but what if the real opportunity lies elsewhere? Start investing in legacies, not executives. Discover our 8 top founder-led companies.

Upgrade Your Decision Making: Choose your AstraZeneca Narrative

Earlier it was mentioned that there is an even better way to understand valuation. Narratives bring this to life by letting you attach a clear story about AstraZeneca to your own assumptions for future revenue, earnings, margins and fair value. You can then automatically compare that fair value with the current share price on Simply Wall St's Community page, where Narratives are updated as news and earnings arrive. One investor might lean toward a higher fair value closer to £200.20 based on confidence in the oncology pipeline, while another could anchor nearer £124.85 due to concerns about patent expiries and drug pricing. This gives you a simple, side by side way to see which story you believe and how that translates into your own buy, hold or sell decisions.

For AstraZeneca however we will make it really easy for you with previews of two leading AstraZeneca Narratives:

First up is a bullish take that leans into the company's broad pipeline and earnings potential, followed by a more cautious view that focuses on pricing pressure, patent risk and execution questions. Reading both side by side helps you decide which assumptions feel closer to your own.

🐂 AstraZeneca Bull Case

Fair value in this bullish narrative: £165.09

Implied undervaluation versus the last close of £136.32: about 17.4% below that narrative fair value

Analyst revenue growth assumption used in this narrative: 6.38% a year

Analysts in this camp focus on a broad late stage pipeline in oncology, rare disease and cardiovascular and metabolic therapies, with management pointing to more than US$10.0b in potential peak risk adjusted revenue from new medicines. The story assumes efficiency gains, disciplined spending and higher margin products support rising profit margins, stronger cash generation and resilience as the portfolio expands. Key risks are recognised, including exposure to price controls, reliance on blockbuster drugs and the need for consistently productive R&D to offset future patent expiries.

🐻 AstraZeneca Bear Case

Fair value in this more cautious narrative: £124.85

Implied overvaluation versus the last close of £136.32: about 9.2% above that narrative fair value

Analyst revenue growth assumption used in this narrative: 4.53% a year

This view highlights drug pricing pressure, upcoming patent expiries for key blockbuster therapies and tighter reimbursement rules as potential headwinds for both revenue and margins over time. It also factors in higher execution risk from heavy R&D spend, global expansion and geopolitical uncertainty, which could weigh on future earnings and free cash flow if projects or integrations fall short. Even here, AstraZeneca's broad pipeline and technology investment are acknowledged, but the concern is that current market expectations and P/E assumptions may sit ahead of these more cautious earnings and growth paths.

Used together, these Narratives give you a clear valuation range, from about £124.85 up to £165.09, plus a concrete set of business assumptions behind each outcome so you can decide which story feels closer to how you see AstraZeneca today.

See what the community is saying about AstraZeneca

Do you think there's more to the story for AstraZeneca? Head over to our Community to see what others are saying!LSE:AZN 1-Year Stock Price Chart

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Companies discussed in this article include AZN.L.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) und AstraZeneca (AZN) gehören zu den größten globalen Arzneimittelherstellern. Beide Unternehmen verfügen über eine diversifizierte Gesundheitsbranche. J&J bietet Therapien für Immunologie, Neurologie, Kardiovaskuläre und metabolische Störungen, pulmonale Hypertonie und Infektionskrankheiten an. Darüber hinaus ist J&J führend in der medizinischen Gerätebranche. AstraZeneca hat etwa 44% seines Umsatzes aus Onkologie. Das Unternehmen verfügt auch über Franchises in Immunologie, seltene Krankheiten, Impfstoffe und kardiovaskuläre und respiratorische Pflege.

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

In 2026, the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (NASDAQ: VXUS) has returned 11.5% compared to a 7.9% gain for the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEMKT: IEFA). That year-to-date outperformance has pushed the Vanguard ETF ahead on a trailing one-, three-, five-, and 10-year basis.

Both international exchange-traded funds (ETFs) invest in a wide variety of foreign stocks, but the biggest difference is the markets they invest in. The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF holds more than 2,600 stocks, but they're all from developed markets. The Vanguard Total International Stock ETF holds 8,700 stocks, spanning both developed and emerging markets.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

The choice between them comes down to whether you want emerging markets exposure. I prefer the ETF that owns those markets.Image source: Getty Images.

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF

This ETF tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index. It invests in companies of all sizes from developed markets outside the United States and Canada. It's comprehensive exposure to these countries with an expense ratio of just 0.07%, one of the lowest in this category.

The top five holdings currently are:

ASML Holdings (2.44% of the index) HSBC Holdings (1.26%) Roche (1.15%) AstraZeneca (1.12%) Novartis AG (1.12%)

The fund has more than 60% of its assets in the eurozone, so the next big catalyst could come from there. I see European defense spending potentially providing the upside push. By 2035, NATO allies have committed to spending 5% of GDP annually on core defense, up from the 2% requirement in place today. The biggest percentage of spending growth is likely to come from Europe and Canada, which increased an estimated 16% year over year in 2025.

This ETF has nearly 20% of its assets invested in industrials, the second-largest sector holding.

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF

This ETF follows the FTSE Global All Cap ex US Index. It targets virtually every investable stock outside of the United States. Canada, which is absent from the iShares ETF, accounts for 8% of this fund. Emerging markets are 27% of the portfolio.

The top five holdings currently are:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (4.25% of the index) Samsung (1.79%) ASML Holdings (1.42%) SK Hynix (1.22%) Tencent Holdings (0.95%)

The added exposure to tech and emerging markets is evident in the top holdings. But I think China and Taiwan could be differentiators going forward. Chinese stocks are on the downswing again as slowing growth, geopolitical tensions, and trade tensions remain risks. Both countries are heavy importers of oil, and any prolonged conflict in the Middle East could drag on returns.

Story Continues

Despite this, I still think the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF is the winner. Emerging-market exposure is important for a well-rounded equity portfolio. Plus, it tends to offer better value and higher long-term return potential. That potential is already evident in 2026.

Should you buy stock in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF right now?

Before you buy stock in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Total International Stock ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut are built for long-term growth and could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $443,191! Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,258,838!

That performance is why people listen. With a track record of beating the S&P 500 by nearly 5x, Stock Advisor offers a distinct advantage. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built for the long haul.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of June 9, 2026.

HSBC Holdings is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. David Dierking has positions in Vanguard Total International Stock ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends ASML, AstraZeneca Plc, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, and Tencent. The Motley Fool recommends HSBC Holdings and Roche Holding AG. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

VXUS Has Delivered Better Returns Than IEFA Over the Past 5 Years. Should It Be in Your Portfolio? was originally published by The Motley Fool

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

(Bloomberg) -- GSK Plc agreed to buy Nuvalent Inc. in a deal valued at $10.6 billion (7.9 billion pounds), adding a biotech firm that's developing treatments for lung cancer as the British pharmaceutical company seeks to rebuild its oncology franchise.

Most Read from Bloomberg

House Republican Says Hegseth's D-Day Remarks 'Inappropriate' LA Mayor Race Flips as Socialist Beats Reality TV Star Pratt Trump Says He, Not Congress, Is in Charge of Kennedy Center in Reversal Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Application Fee Rejected by Judge Chip Stocks Rally in AI Trade Revival After Plunge: Markets Wrap

GSK will pay $124 a share in cash for Nuvalent, according to a statement Tuesday, a 40% premium over the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company's closing share price on Monday. It marks a significant expansion of GSK's cancer portfolio, which has been slowly growing since the British drugmaker returned to the disease space in 2019, as well as the first major acquisition for Chief Executive Officer Luke Miels.

Since taking over at the start of this year, Miels has been working to revitalize GSK, which doesn't have a history of risk-taking and has long struggled to allay investors' fears about the drugs it has in development.

GSK shares fell as much as 3% in early trading in London. The stock is up by around 23% over the past 12 months.

Nuvalent designs precisely-targeted therapies for oncology patients including lung cancer. Its shares have declined by 12% this year, giving it a market value of almost $7 billion.

Two of the medicines GSK is acquiring are in late-stage trials, with the US Food and Drug Administration expected to decide on regulatory approval later this year. Both could be blockbuster medicines if approved, GSK said.

The Nuvalent deal won't impact GSK's guidance for the year, and it's expected to contribute to revenue growth from 2027, according to the statement.

The two leading drugs from Nuvalent treat non-small-cell lung cancer patients that have specific mutations. These mutations usually affect people who didn't smoke.

The fortunes of GSK and rival British drugmaker AstraZeneca Plc diverged in 2014 as Astra CEO Pascal Soriot worked to make the company a cancer drug powerhouse.

GSK meanwhile divested its oncology portfolio in an asset swap with Novartis in 2014. Miels, a protégé of Soriot, left Astra acrimoniously, with the company suing him in 2017, alleging he was in violation of his employment agreement. The two companies settled, with Miels joining GSK later that year.

Story Continues

Well-liked by investors, the pick of Australian Miels to succeed Emma Walmsley as CEO was seen as a move that could rejuvenate GSK. The drugmaker, known for its vaccines, has focused on immunology and HIV as vaccine sales have slowed.

In January, GSK agreed on a $2.2 billion deal to buy US biotech Rapt Therapeutics, which develops treatments for inflammatory and immunologic diseases. The firm secured a pulmonary hypertension drug in another transaction.

The Nuvalent purchase is expected to be completed by the third quarter, pending regulatory approvals. The transaction will be funded mainly through new and existing debt facilities plus cash and won't affect GSK's credit rating, the company said.

--With assistance from Michelle F. Davis.

(Updates with shares in fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

Chinese Diners Will Wait Five Hours for This Conveyor-Belt Sushi SpaceX IPO Forces Investors to Bet on Musk's Entangled AI Empire Men in Blazers Is Coming to Take Over the World Cup Where's the Global Economic Meltdown? What Trump Delivered for Amazon

©2026 Bloomberg L.P.

View Comments

Haftungsausschluss: Der Text wurde mit Hilfe einer KI zusammengefasst und übersetzt. Für Aussagen aus dem Originaltext wird keine Haftung übernommen!

Das Bundesgesundheitsministerium hat zusammen mit dem Außenministerium eine Erklärung veröffentlicht, in der es angegeben wird, dass die US-Regierung möglicherweise die von der Internationalen Agentur für Krebsforschung (IARC) erstellten Krebsrisikobewertungen herausfordern könnte. Die Begründung lautet, dass IARCs Ergebnisse oft zwischen Gefahr und wahren Risiken schwimmen lassen und gleichzeitig die von anderen Forschungsinstituten bestätigten Ergebnisse herabwürdigen. Darüber hinaus wird kritisiert, dass IARCs Forschungen wenig zur Verbesserung der öffentlichen Gesundspolitik beitragen und stattdessen politisierte Narrative fördern, die häufig in US-amerikanischen Rechtskontexten zitiert werden.