Core Viewpoint - AstraZeneca (AZN.US) shares rose over 3.5% to $74.35, driven by strong second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst expectations [1] Financial Performance - AstraZeneca reported a 12% year-on-year revenue increase to $14.46 billion, surpassing the analyst forecast of $14.15 billion [1] - Core earnings per share grew by 10% year-on-year to $2.17, meeting expectations [1] Future Outlook - CEO Pascal Soriot indicated that the revenue growth momentum is strong for the first half of the year, with positive results from 12 key Phase III clinical trials, including Baxdrostat, Gefurulimab, and Tagrisso [1] - The company maintains its full-year guidance for high single-digit revenue growth and low double-digit growth in core earnings per share, calculated at constant exchange rates [1]