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AZN vs. BMY: AstraZeneca vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Comparison

How do AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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.

Company profile comparison for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
Profile ItemAZNBMY
NameAstraZeneca PLC American Depositary SharesBristol-Myers Squibb Company
Country/RegionUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization289.14 billion USD127.02 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateMay 12, 1993June 1, 1972
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN
BMY
GSPC
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Total Return (1Y)12.64%38.62%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)15.75%12.29%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)10.63%5.09%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN
BMY
GSPC
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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

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Distribution of monthly total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.21%28.01%
Beta (5Y)0.220.19
Max Drawdown (5Y)-27.87%-47.67%
Avg. Volume (3M)3.14M10.85M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AZN and BMY are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.301.23
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.441.95

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 22.57% and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 44.01% 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

22.57%

Max
109.18%
AZN
22.57%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.01%

Max
109.18%
BMY
44.01%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 18.47% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.68% also retains a top-quartile share.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.68%

Max
18.05%
AZN
17.68%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.47%

BMY
18.47%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 29.57% and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 33.79% 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

29.57%

Max
83.12%
AZN
29.57%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.79%

Max
83.12%
BMY
33.79%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
ROE (TTM)22.57%44.01%
ROA (TTM)8.59%10.90%
Net Margin (TTM)17.68%18.47%
Operating Margin (TTM)29.57%33.79%
Gross Margin (TTM)81.78%70.50%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at -0.22% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: AstraZeneca (AZN) reports EPS growth of 45.33%, ranked against its industry; Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.63%-0.22%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)9.82%1.45%
EPS Growth (YoY)45.33%--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)45.80%5.46%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.01 and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.59 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.01

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
AZN
1.01
Min
0.10

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.59

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
BMY
1.59
Min
0.10
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both balance sheets lean debt-heavy versus peers, but BMY is more stretched: AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.66 sits in the higher-leverage quartile and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.91 is above its industry benchmark range.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.66

Max
1.42
AZN
0.66
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.91

BMY
1.91
Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.011.59
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.661.91
Net Debt / EBITDA1.231.77

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.73% and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 3.99% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.73%

AZN
1.73%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.99%

BMY
3.99%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.38% and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 55.88% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

45.38%

AZN
45.38%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

55.88%

BMY
55.88%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.73%3.99%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)45.38%55.88%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 26.37 and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 13.78 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

26.37

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
AZN
26.37
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.78

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
BMY
13.78
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 2.54 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.63 prices around its industry’s middle — BMY costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.63

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
AZN
4.63
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.54

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
BMY
2.54
Min
0.01
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 5.59 and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 5.43 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.59

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
AZN
5.59
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.43

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
BMY
5.43
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
MetricAZNBMY
P/E Ratio (TTM)26.3713.78
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.632.54
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.595.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.95%5.01%