Can AstraZeneca's New Strategy Save Its Stock?

Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca's has had a tough go lately. Its stock has left investors disappointed, rising less than 3% over the past five years. The company's facing tough times, with patent expirations that have slammed the industry as a whole taking an especially huge toll on AstraZeneca's sales. The company's pipeline offers a fair amount of lackluster products, but AstraZeneca's looking toward acquisitions as it tries to invigorate a murky future.

Is this the right path for this troubled big pharma? AstraZeneca dabbled in buyouts earlier this year and has been mentioned as a suitor for biotech standout Onyx Pharmaceuticals , but the company has yet to show investors any real payoff.

In the video below, Fool contributor Dan Carroll takes you through the latest with AstraZeneca's acquisition ambitions -- and whether this strategy can save its clouded future.

AstraZeneca's troubles are a key example of how the best investment strategy is to pick great companies and stick with them for the long term. The Motley Fool's free report "3 Stocks That Will Help You Retire Rich" not only shares stocks that could help you build long-term wealth, but also winning strategies that every investor should know. Click here to grab your free copy today.

The article Can AstraZeneca's New Strategy Save Its Stock? originally appeared on Fool.com.

Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson. The Motley Fool owns shares of Johnson & Johnson. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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