Key Takeaways
- AstraZeneca (AZN) reported strong Q2 2025 earnings, surpassing revenue estimates with $14.46 billion and meeting core EPS expectations at $2.17, while maintaining its full-year revenue growth outlook.
- Sweden's economy showed a significant rebound in June, with its GDP indicator rising 0.5% month-over-month, marking the first monthly increase in three months.
- Norway's retail sales remained flat month-over-month in June, following a slight increase in the prior month, indicating a stagnation in consumer spending.
- The S&P/ASX 200 in Australia closed slightly higher, gaining 0.1% to 8,704.60, as investors awaited key inflation data.
AstraZeneca (AZN) delivered a robust performance in the second quarter of 2025, with revenue climbing to $14.46 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $14.12 billion. The pharmaceutical giant also met its core earnings per share (EPS) target of $2.17. This strong showing was further bolstered by Imfinzi revenue reaching $1.46 billion, surpassing the estimated $1.34 billion. The company declared an interim dividend of $1.03 per share and reaffirmed its guidance for high single-digit percentage growth in total revenue for the full fiscal year.
In economic news, Sweden's GDP indicator for June recorded a 0.5% month-over-month increase, a notable rebound from the revised -0.8% contraction in May. On a year-over-year basis, the GDP indicator rose by 1.0%, up from the previous 0.4%. This marks the first monthly expansion in Sweden's economic activity in three months, suggesting a potential recovery gaining momentum in the latter half of 2025, driven by rising real wages and lower interest rates.
Conversely, Norway's retail sales, excluding auto fuel, remained stagnant in June, registering 0.00% month-over-month growth. This follows a revised 0.1% increase in the previous month. The stagnation was primarily attributed to declines in sales of ICT equipment, other household equipment, and food and beverages.
Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 in Australia concluded the trading session with a slight gain, rising 0.1% to close at 8,704.60. The market's modest uptick comes as investors anticipate the release of local inflation data, which is expected to provide insights into the Reserve Bank of Australia's future interest rate decisions.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.