


AstraZeneca Plc
Pfizer Slightly Beats Expectations, Leaves Investors Guessing About AstraZeneca

Pfizer Inc on Tuesday left investors guessing whether it would renew its pursuit of its British rival, AstraZeneca, but said it was considering other deals. The largest U.S. drug maker reported higher-than-expected second-quarter revenue, helped by growing demand for its cancer medicines. But overall sales fell on competition with newer rival drugs and cheaper generics, trends that have quickened Pfizer's efforts to buy companies and drugs that can bolster its medicine chest. In May, Pfizer abandoned its $118 billion bid to buy AstraZeneca. Under United Kingdom takeover rules, AstraZeneca can try to re-engage with Pfizer in August, and Pfizer can make another run at AstraZeneca in...