AZN vs. BIIB: AstraZeneca vs. Biogen Stock Comparison
This page compares AstraZeneca (AZN) with Biogen (BIIB) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 21.25% | 51.20% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 26.07% | 33.53% |
| Beta | 0.26 | 0.17 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.96M | 1.16M |
Company Profile
AstraZeneca (AZN) and Biogen (BIIB) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AZN is classified in Pharmaceuticals while BIIB is classified in Biotechnology.
Biogen (BIIB) trades as ordinary local shares, while AstraZeneca (AZN) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares | Biogen Inc. |
| Country/Region | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 277.22 billion USD | 29.53 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | September 17, 1991 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 26.96 and Biogen (BIIB) at 21.51 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.96
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- AZN
- 26.96
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.51
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- BIIB
- 21.51
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) at 2.97 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.59 prices around its industry’s middle — BIIB costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.59
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- AZN
- 4.59
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.97
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- BIIB
- 2.97
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 1.58 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile against book while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 5.85 is valued near its industry’s middle — BIIB is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.85
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- AZN
- 5.85
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.58
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- BIIB
- 1.58
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.96 | 21.51 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.59 | 2.97 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.85 | 1.58 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.37% | 6.54% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.48% and Biogen (BIIB) at 7.70% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.48%
- Max
- 101.32%
- AZN
- 23.48%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.70%
- Max
- 101.32%
- BIIB
- 7.70%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.19% and Biogen (BIIB) at 13.81% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.19%
- AZN
- 17.19%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.81%
- BIIB
- 13.81%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.94% and Biogen (BIIB) at 22.90% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.94%
- Max
- 100.30%
- AZN
- 27.94%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
22.90%
- Max
- 100.30%
- BIIB
- 22.90%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.48% | 7.70% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.49% | 5.95% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.19% | 13.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.94% | 22.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.51% | 78.72% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 8.63% | 2.22% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.82% | -0.94% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 45.33% | -21.38% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 45.80% | -25.04% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 3.07 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.91 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AZN.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.91
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- AZN
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.23
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.07
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- BIIB
- 3.07
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 0.35 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.72 uses more debt funding than most peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- AZN
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.35
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- BIIB
- 0.35
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 3.07 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.35 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.32 | 0.64 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile AstraZeneca (AZN) reports a yield of 1.77%, ranking against industry peers normally.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.77%
- AZN
- 1.77%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile AstraZeneca (AZN) reports a payout of 47.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
47.70%
- AZN
- 47.70%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.77% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.70% | 0.00% |