AZN vs. EXAS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZN and EXAS, 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, EXAS is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | AZN | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | Exact Sciences Corporation |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 265.62 billion USD | 11.23 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqCM |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | February 1, 2001 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZN and EXAS 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 | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.77% | 5.57% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.60% | 7.25% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 12.18% | 33.97% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 8.58% | -14.34% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 14.29% | 8.43% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.09% | 5.57% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.68M | 2.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.20M | 2.89M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.04% | 41.21% |
| Beta | 1.23 | 1.44 |
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.
EXAS
-38.37%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
EXAS has a negative Return on Equity of -38.37%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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.
EXAS
-34.19%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
EXAS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -34.19%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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.
EXAS
-34.49%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
EXAS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -34.49%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.84% | -38.37% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.76% | -16.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.68% | -34.19% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.04% | -34.49% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.07% | 68.19% |
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.
EXAS
2.89
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
EXAS’s Current Ratio of 2.89 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology 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.
EXAS
0.95
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
EXAS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Biotechnology industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
EXAS
-15.18
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
EXAS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.18. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 2.89 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 2.32 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.95 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.51 | -15.18 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZN
1.86%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Yield of 1.86% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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.
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.86% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 59.51% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZN
32.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
A P/E Ratio of 32.06 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.
EXAS
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
P/E Ratio data for EXAS is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZN
4.71
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
AZN’s P/S Ratio of 4.71 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.
EXAS
3.77
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, EXAS’s P/S Ratio of 3.77 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
4.71
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
AZN’s P/B Ratio of 4.71 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.
EXAS
4.06
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.59
EXAS’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | EXAS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 32.06 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.71 | 3.77 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.71 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 32.49 | 88.58 |