Seek Returns

AstraZeneca (AZN) Stock Analysis

This is a peer-relative look at AstraZeneca (AZN): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

AstraZeneca (AZN) trades as an ADR rather than ordinary local shares — read it with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile fields for AstraZeneca (AZN)
Profile ItemAZN
NameAstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares
Country/RegionUnited Kingdom
GICS SectorHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization245.55 billion USD
CurrencyUSD
ExchangeNasdaq
Listing DateMay 12, 1993
Security TypeADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN
GSPC
Loading price history…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

Loading price history…
Trailing total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…
Calendar-year total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Total Return (1Y)-5.51%20.69%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)7.36%16.87%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)7.58%-3.09%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN
GSPC
Loading price history…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

Loading price history…
Distribution of monthly total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)26.67%65.45%
Beta (5Y)0.260.98
Max Drawdown (5Y)-27.87%-79.62%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Loading chart…
Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. AZN is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.370.28
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.530.47

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) posts ROE of 21.97%, in the upper peer quartile. That suggests the company earns more from each dollar of shareholders’ equity than most industry peers, a useful capital-efficiency signal.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.97%

Group distribution
Max
102.29%
AZN
21.97%
Q3
4.90%
Median
-28.58%
Q1
-64.07%
Min
-157.61%
Largest peers
LLY
102.29%
NVS
30.35%
JNJ
25.74%
AZN
21.97%
TMO
13.52%
MRK
6.96%
ABBV
--
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on ROE within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) keeps 17.02% of revenue as net profit, putting net margin in the upper peer quartile. After operating costs, interest, and taxes, more of each sales dollar reaches shareholders than it does at most industry peers.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.02%

Group distribution
Max
18.88%
AZN
17.02%
Q3
4.25%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-5.61%
Min
-20.05%
Largest peers
LLY
33.53%
NVS
22.50%
JNJ
21.48%
AZN
17.02%
TMO
15.04%
ABBV
9.80%
MRK
4.77%
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on net margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) turns 23.46% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

23.46%

Group distribution
Max
76.04%
AZN
23.46%
Q3
12.70%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-69.09%
Min
-182.62%
Largest peers
LLY
54.22%
ABBV
40.04%
NVS
34.62%
JNJ
29.19%
AZN
23.46%
TMO
18.75%
MRK
-0.24%
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on operating margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
ROE (TTM)21.97%-28.58%
ROA (TTM)8.21%-13.26%
Net Margin (TTM)17.02%0.00%
Operating Margin (TTM)23.46%0.00%
Gross Margin (TTM)81.69%34.59%

Growth

Revenue Growth

AstraZeneca (AZN) grew revenue 8.63%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

AstraZeneca (AZN) grew earnings per share 45.33%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Bottom-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.63%10.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)9.82%10.74%
EPS Growth (YoY)45.33%3.52%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)45.80%4.17%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AstraZeneca (AZN) has current ratio of 0.89, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.89

Group distribution
Max
26.10
Q3
12.14
Median
5.44
Q1
2.50
AZN
0.89
Min
0.10
Largest peers
TMO
1.55
LLY
1.36
MRK
1.32
JNJ
1.09
AZN
0.89
NVS
0.86
ABBV
0.81
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on current ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

AstraZeneca (AZN) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal leverage range. Its mix of debt and equity looks typical for the industry.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.64

Group distribution
Max
1.69
Q3
0.69
AZN
0.64
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
Largest peers
LLY
1.62
MRK
1.28
NVS
1.17
TMO
0.81
AZN
0.64
JNJ
0.58
ABBV
--
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.895.44
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.640.15
Net Debt / EBITDA1.351.18

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) has dividend yield of 2.03%, above the entire industry range. That headline income is large, but yields this far above peers often come from a falling share price or an at-risk payout, so dividend safety matters more than the percentage itself.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.03%

Group distribution
AZN
2.03%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
NVS
3.25%
ABBV
2.47%
MRK
2.28%
AZN
2.03%
JNJ
2.00%
LLY
0.55%
TMO
0.27%
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on dividend yield within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) has payout ratio of 46.95%, above the peer distribution for its industry. The dividend consumes more reported earnings than peers normally do, leaving unusually thin earnings cover.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

46.95%

Group distribution
AZN
46.95%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
MRK
266.67%
ABBV
190.40%
NVS
71.60%
JNJ
60.72%
AZN
46.95%
LLY
21.69%
TMO
9.69%
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on payout ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.03%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)46.95%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at P/E ratio of 23.53, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

23.53

Group distribution
Max
86.43
Q3
46.76
Median
29.36
AZN
23.53
Q1
15.13
Min
0.11
Largest peers
MRK
115.44
ABBV
80.78
LLY
39.70
TMO
35.64
JNJ
30.56
AZN
23.53
NVS
21.73
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on P/E ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at 4.00 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.00

Group distribution
Max
56.49
Q3
25.78
Median
7.13
AZN
4.00
Q1
3.29
Min
0.01
Largest peers
LLY
13.24
ABBV
7.72
JNJ
6.49
MRK
5.39
TMO
5.28
NVS
4.82
AZN
4.00
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on P/S ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at 4.88 on P/B ratio, roughly in line with the industry’s normal price-to-book range. Its balance sheet is not being priced at a clear discount or premium versus peers.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.88

Group distribution
Max
14.72
Q3
7.03
AZN
4.88
Median
3.57
Q1
1.83
Min
-5.39
Largest peers
LLY
31.12
MRK
8.56
JNJ
7.47
NVS
6.58
AZN
4.88
TMO
4.65
ABBV
-83.69
Loading chart…
Where AstraZeneca (AZN) stands on P/B ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

AstraZeneca (AZN) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: AZNIndustry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)23.5329.36
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.007.13
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.883.57
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.09%-1.66%