AZN vs. JNJ: AstraZeneca vs. Johnson & Johnson Stock Comparison

August 16, 2026

How do AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Profile Item	AZN	JNJ
Name	AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares	Johnson & Johnson
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	Pharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-Industry	Pharmaceuticals	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	242.64 billion USD	627.42 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	NYSE
Listing Date	May 12, 1993	January 2, 1962
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN

JNJ

GSPC

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Total Return (1Y)	0.73%	52.73%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	5.20%	17.89%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	8.07%	11.20%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN

JNJ

GSPC

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	28.07%	18.30%
Beta (5Y)	0.24	0.24
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-27.87%	-18.41%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.81M	8.14M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AZN and JNJ 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	-0.12	2.67
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	-0.17	4.34

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 21.97% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 25.74% 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

21.97%

Max: 100.28%
AZN: 21.97%
Q3: 3.43%
Median: -33.05%
Q1: -62.24%
Min: -157.61%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.74%

Max: 100.28%
JNJ: 25.74%
Q3: 3.43%
Median: -33.05%
Q1: -62.24%
Min: -157.61%

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

Net Margin (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.02% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 21.48% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.02%

AZN: 17.02%
Max: 13.44%
Q3: 3.18%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -14.36%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.48%

JNJ: 21.48%
Max: 13.44%
Q3: 3.18%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -14.36%

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.46% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 29.19% 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

23.46%

Max: 76.04%
AZN: 23.46%
Q3: 10.89%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -122.64%
Min: -308.66%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

29.19%

Max: 76.04%
JNJ: 29.19%
Q3: 10.89%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -122.64%
Min: -308.66%

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

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
ROE (TTM)	21.97%	25.74%
ROA (TTM)	8.02%	8.60%
Net Margin (TTM)	17.02%	21.48%
Operating Margin (TTM)	23.46%	29.19%
Gross Margin (TTM)	81.69%	68.14%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.05% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 90.50% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.33% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for JNJ.

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Revenue Growth (YoY)	8.63%	6.05%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.82%	5.60%
EPS Growth (YoY)	45.33%	90.50%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	45.80%	17.90%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.89 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.09 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

0.89

Max: 26.78
Q3: 12.43
Median: 5.72
Q1: 2.77
AZN: 0.89
Min: 0.10

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.09

Max: 26.78
Q3: 12.43
Median: 5.72
Q1: 2.77
JNJ: 1.09
Min: 0.10

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

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.64 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.58 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.64

Max: 1.48
Q3: 0.64
AZN: 0.64
Median: 0.14
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.58

Max: 1.48
Q3: 0.64
JNJ: 0.58
Median: 0.14
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.89	1.09
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.64	0.58
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.38	0.81

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 2.05% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 2.00% 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

2.05%

AZN: 2.05%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.00%

JNJ: 2.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 47.41% and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 60.79% 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

47.41%

AZN: 47.41%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

60.79%

JNJ: 60.79%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

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

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.05%	2.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	47.41%	60.79%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.42 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 30.20 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

23.42

Max: 77.53
Q3: 41.75
Median: 27.59
AZN: 23.42
Q1: 15.21
Min: 0.13

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

30.20

Max: 77.53
Q3: 41.75
JNJ: 30.20
Median: 27.59
Q1: 15.21
Min: 0.13

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 3.95 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.41 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.95

Max: 73.14
Q3: 31.51
Median: 7.39
AZN: 3.95
Q1: 3.47
Min: 0.01

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.41

Max: 73.14
Q3: 31.51
Median: 7.39
JNJ: 6.41
Q1: 3.47
Min: 0.01

AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 4.82 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 7.38 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

AZN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.82

Max: 15.18
Q3: 7.45
AZN: 4.82
Median: 3.92
Q1: 1.79
Min: -5.47

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.38

Max: 15.18
Q3: 7.45
JNJ: 7.38
Median: 3.92
Q1: 1.79
Min: -5.47

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

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Metric	AZN	JNJ
P/E Ratio (TTM)	23.42	30.20
P/S Ratio (TTM)	3.95	6.41
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	4.82	7.38
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.02%	2.69%