We’re about to enter results season for the FTSE 100 drug developers. Full year results are expected from AstraZeneca (AZN) on 2 February and from peer GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) on 7 February.

Shares in AstraZeneca have been gaining momentum since the second half of 2017 as the company’s prospects started to improve. This was confirmed in November when the company said it expected earnings to hit the ‘favourable end of the guidance range of a low to mid-teens percentage decline.’

Oncology sales are anticipated to drive further growth at AstraZeneca. In the third quarter of 2017, new oncology sales grew by 72%.

GlaxoSmithKline’s shares haven’t fared as well with a big sell-off between October and December 2017, although they’ve since been slowly recovering. Its HIV drug Juluca was approved late last year and should boost value in its ViiV business.

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