AZN vs. COST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZN and COST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AZN trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, COST is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | Costco Wholesale Corporation |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Consumer Staples |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail |
| Market Capitalization | 264.51 billion USD | 405.73 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | July 9, 1986 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZN and COST by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 13.22% | -0.16% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.05% | -7.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.66% | -3.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 5.45% | 4.19% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 11.38% | -1.11% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 18.97% | -0.10% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.79M | 3.02M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.23M | 2.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.42% | 15.96% |
| Beta | 1.02 | 1.00 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AZN
19.84%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
AZN’s Return on Equity of 19.84% is on par with the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
COST
30.47%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 36.53%
- Q3
- 21.48%
- Median
- 13.14%
- Q1
- 8.11%
- Min
- -9.87%
In the upper quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Return on Equity of 30.47% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
14.68%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
AZN’s Net Profit Margin of 14.68% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
COST
2.94%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 7.25%
- Q3
- 3.98%
- Median
- 2.77%
- Q1
- 1.73%
- Min
- -0.70%
COST’s Net Profit Margin of 2.94% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
20.04%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
AZN’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.04% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
COST
3.77%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 9.42%
- Q3
- 5.61%
- Median
- 4.18%
- Q1
- 2.72%
- Min
- 0.23%
COST’s Operating Profit Margin of 3.77% is around the midpoint for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.84% | 30.47% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.76% | 10.83% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.68% | 2.94% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.04% | 3.77% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.07% | 12.84% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.86
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
AZN’s Current Ratio of 0.86 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
COST
1.03
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.76
- Q3
- 1.28
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- 0.49
COST’s Current Ratio of 1.03 aligns with the median group of the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.73
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
AZN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.73 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
COST
0.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 3.61
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, COST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.20 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AZN
9.51
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- -42.71
AZN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.51 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
COST
91.27
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 24.36
- Q3
- 13.75
- Median
- 5.79
- Q1
- 3.04
- Min
- -5.51
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 91.27, COST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 0.55 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.20 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.51 | 91.27 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZN
1.90%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Yield of 1.90% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
COST
0.54%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 6.08%
- Q3
- 3.33%
- Median
- 1.77%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Yield of 0.54% is consistent with its peers in the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AZN
59.51%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.51% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
COST
34.59%
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 172.48%
- Q3
- 103.93%
- Median
- 54.70%
- Q1
- 24.82%
- Min
- 0.00%
COST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.59% is within the typical range for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.90% | 0.54% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 59.51% | 34.59% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZN
31.31
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
A P/E Ratio of 31.31 places AZN in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
COST
50.20
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 47.99
- Q3
- 30.23
- Median
- 22.19
- Q1
- 16.85
- Min
- 4.52
At 50.20, COST’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZN
4.60
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
AZN’s P/S Ratio of 4.60 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
COST
1.48
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.96
- Median
- 0.53
- Q1
- 0.37
- Min
- 0.06
COST’s P/S Ratio of 1.48 is in the upper echelon for the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
4.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
AZN’s P/B Ratio of 4.72 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
COST
14.34
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail Industry
- Max
- 8.68
- Q3
- 4.97
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.86
- Min
- 0.46
At 14.34, COST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | COST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 31.31 | 50.20 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.60 | 1.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.72 | 14.34 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 31.73 | 51.88 |