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ASTRA EARNINGS JUMP 49 PERCENT

October 27, 2005

AstraZeneca Plc (AZN.L: Quote, Profile, Research) proved its reputation for above-average growth with a 49 percent jump in third-quarter earnings per share on Thursday, driven by a tight control of costs. Sales, however, fell short of expectations, dampening enthusiasm for the stock. Europe's third biggest drug maker increased its full-year outlook for earnings to $2.85-2.95 a share, from more than $2.75 a share previously, as margins at the group continued to improve.

Reuters (http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2005-10-27T125310Z_01_SPI736478_RTRUKOC_0_UK-ASTRAZENECA.xml)