AZN vs. EXEL: AstraZeneca vs. Exelixis Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AZN is classified in Pharmaceuticals while EXEL is classified in Biotechnology.

Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL)
Profile Item	AZN	EXEL
Name	AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares	Exelixis 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	289.14 billion USD	16.98 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	May 12, 1993	April 17, 2000
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN

EXEL

GSPC

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL), 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 Exelixis (EXEL). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Total Return (1Y)	12.64%	74.98%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	15.75%	50.33%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	10.63%	31.10%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN

EXEL

GSPC

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL), 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 Exelixis (EXEL). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	28.21%	34.17%
Beta (5Y)	0.22	0.41
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-27.87%	-35.41%
Avg. Volume (3M)	3.14M	2.33M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AZN and EXEL 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 Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.30	2.07
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.44	3.23

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 22.57% and Exelixis (EXEL) at 44.32% 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%

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.32%

Max: 109.18%
EXEL: 44.32%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Exelixis (EXEL) at 35.45% 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%

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

35.45%

EXEL: 35.45%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): 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 Exelixis (EXEL) at 40.75% 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%

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

40.75%

Max: 83.12%
EXEL: 40.75%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
ROE (TTM)	22.57%	44.32%
ROA (TTM)	8.59%	23.52%
Net Margin (TTM)	17.68%	35.45%
Operating Margin (TTM)	29.57%	40.75%
Gross Margin (TTM)	81.78%	96.26%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and Exelixis (EXEL) at 6.98% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.33% and Exelixis (EXEL) at 57.95% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Revenue Growth (YoY)	8.63%	6.98%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.82%	12.93%
EPS Growth (YoY)	45.33%	57.95%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	45.80%	70.59%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Exelixis (EXEL) at 3.21 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.01 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AZN.

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

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.21

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
EXEL: 3.21
Q1: 2.47
Min: 0.10

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Exelixis (EXEL) at 0.09 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.66 uses more debt funding than most peers.

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

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.09

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
EXEL: 0.09
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): 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 Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.01	3.21
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.66	0.09
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.23	-0.71

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Exelixis (EXEL) 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 1.73%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

EXEL: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Exelixis (EXEL) 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 45.38%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

EXEL: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
Dividend Yield (TTM)	1.73%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	45.38%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 26.37 and Exelixis (EXEL) at 20.83 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

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

20.83

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
EXEL: 20.83
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.63 and Exelixis (EXEL) at 6.80 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

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

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.80

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
EXEL: 6.80
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

AstraZeneca (AZN) at 5.59 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Exelixis (EXEL) at 9.28 carries an above-peer premium to book — EXEL is pricier on assets.

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

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.28

Max: 13.53
EXEL: 9.28
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Exelixis (EXEL): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Exelixis (EXEL)
Metric	AZN	EXEL
P/E Ratio (TTM)	26.37	20.83
P/S Ratio (TTM)	4.63	6.80
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	5.59	9.28
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.95%	4.47%