AZN vs. GE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZN and GE, 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, GE is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | AZN | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | GE Aerospace |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Industrial Conglomerates |
| Market Capitalization | 278.06 billion USD | 321.70 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZN and GE 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 | GE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.09% | -2.28% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 16.74% | 13.80% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 31.00% | 37.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 35.00% | 66.06% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.52% | -1.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 29.27% | 82.76% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.31M | 3.74M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.24M | 4.47M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 28.04% | 20.94% |
| Beta | 0.97 | 1.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AZN
21.80%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.95%
- Q3
- 20.34%
- Median
- 11.59%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -10.91%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, AZN’s Return on Equity of 21.80% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
GE
42.13%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 19.60%
- Q3
- 13.46%
- Median
- 9.41%
- Q1
- 5.80%
- Min
- -3.73%
GE’s Return on Equity of 42.13% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
16.17%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.07%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 5.73%
- Min
- -8.86%
AZN’s Net Profit Margin of 16.17% 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.
GE
18.34%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 26.43%
- Q3
- 13.08%
- Median
- 9.45%
- Q1
- 3.04%
- Min
- -2.43%
A Net Profit Margin of 18.34% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
22.02%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.58%
- Q3
- 24.35%
- Median
- 18.05%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -11.88%
AZN’s Operating Profit Margin of 22.02% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
GE
17.00%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 27.02%
- Q3
- 17.23%
- Median
- 12.77%
- Q1
- 7.78%
- Min
- -4.49%
GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.00% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.80% | 42.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.60% | 6.44% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.17% | 18.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.02% | 17.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.90% | 35.88% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.88
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 5.45
- Q3
- 2.99
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.78
AZN’s Current Ratio of 0.88 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.
GE
1.08
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.18
- Q3
- 1.64
- Median
- 1.35
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.50
GE’s Current Ratio of 1.08 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.71
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.78
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.08
- Min
- 0.00
AZN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.71 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.
GE
1.11
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 2.72
- Q3
- 1.52
- Median
- 0.90
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.20
GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.11 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AZN
9.51
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 10.15
- 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.
GE
5.01
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 13.50
- Q3
- 9.20
- Median
- 4.18
- Q1
- 2.73
- Min
- -2.15
GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 1.08 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 0.76 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.71 | 1.11 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.51 | 5.01 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZN
1.80%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.72%
- Q3
- 3.48%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Yield of 1.80% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
GE
0.43%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 10.91%
- Q3
- 5.53%
- Median
- 3.21%
- Q1
- 1.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.43% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AZN
52.89%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 85.87%
- Median
- 49.36%
- Q1
- 1.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 52.89% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
GE
17.08%
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 182.48%
- Q3
- 97.89%
- Median
- 52.41%
- Q1
- 31.27%
- Min
- 1.76%
GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 17.08% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.80% | 0.43% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 52.89% | 17.08% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZN
29.38
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 52.64
- Q3
- 29.89
- Median
- 20.77
- Q1
- 13.37
- Min
- 5.71
AZN’s P/E Ratio of 29.38 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
GE
39.88
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 27.19
- Median
- 16.85
- Q1
- 7.93
- Min
- 3.88
A P/E Ratio of 39.88 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZN
4.75
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.74
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 1.67
- Min
- 0.11
AZN’s P/S Ratio of 4.75 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.
GE
7.32
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.36
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.43
- Min
- 0.11
With a P/S Ratio of 7.32, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
4.97
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.86
- Q3
- 5.28
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.59
AZN’s P/B Ratio of 4.97 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.
GE
16.96
Industrial Conglomerates Industry
- Max
- 5.48
- Q3
- 2.86
- Median
- 1.03
- Q1
- 0.51
- Min
- 0.30
At 16.96, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates 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 | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.38 | 39.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.75 | 7.32 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.97 | 16.96 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.86 | 49.89 |