(RTTNews) - AstraZeneca PLC (AZN, AZN.L), the British pharmaceutical giant, announced on Monday a reduction in its second-quarter pre-tax profit even as revenues increased.

Looking to fiscal 2026, the company maintains its forecast for total revenue growth in the mid-to-high single-digit range and core earnings per share rising by a low double-digit percentage.

During the second quarter, profit before tax declined 11 percent to $2.799 billion compared to $3.127 billion in the prior year. Earnings per share rose 2 percent to $1.61 from $1.58 previously.

Core earnings per share reached $2.63, marking a 21 percent increase from the year-ago period.

EBITDA advanced 4 percent year-over-year to $5.092 billion.

Overall revenue climbed 6 percent to $15.384 billion from $14.457 billion last year. Double-digit expansion in Oncology and Rare Disease helped counter challenges from Farxiga's loss of exclusivity in the US and volume-based procurement in China. At constant currency, revenue grew 5 percent.

Additionally, the firm raised its interim dividend by 3 cents to $1.06 per share, equivalent to 79.5 pence.

Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot commented, "Although the CARDIO-TTRansform result was disappointing, we are positioned to achieve our $80bn Total Revenue goal, which factors in both achievements and challenges. We are optimistic about our pipeline's potential, with over twenty significant data readouts expected in the coming 18 months. We are accelerating investments in our innovative technologies and commercial operations to deliver our medicines to patients worldwide and sustain growth past 2030."

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