AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Novartis (NVS)
This page compares AstraZeneca (AZN) with Novartis (NVS) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Company Profile
AstraZeneca (AZN) and Novartis (NVS) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Both AstraZeneca (AZN, ADR) and Novartis (NVS, ADR) trade as depositary receipts or similar foreign-share lines; core company financials may still be comparable, but trading line, FX, program fees, dividend withholding, and home-market rules are worth keeping in view.
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares | Novartis AG Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United Kingdom | Switzerland |
| 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 | 288.38 billion USD | 283.16 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 28.00 and Novartis (NVS) at 21.29 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.00
- Max
- 76.34
- Q3
- 42.08
- Median
- 25.10
- Q1
- 14.48
- Min
- 1.55
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.29
- Max
- 76.34
- Q3
- 42.08
- Median
- 25.10
- Q1
- 14.48
- Min
- 1.55
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.77 and Novartis (NVS) at 5.00 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.77
- Max
- 51.32
- Q3
- 22.55
- Median
- 6.57
- Q1
- 3.36
- Min
- 0.01
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.00
- Max
- 51.32
- Q3
- 22.55
- Median
- 6.57
- Q1
- 3.36
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AstraZeneca (AZN) at 6.09 is valued about in line with its industry on Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Novartis (NVS) at 7.35 carries a peer-beating premium to book — NVS is pricier on assets.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.09
- Max
- 12.58
- Q3
- 6.24
- Median
- 3.34
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -3.91
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.35
- Max
- 12.58
- Q3
- 6.24
- Median
- 3.34
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -3.91
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 28.00 | 21.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.77 | 5.00 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.09 | 7.35 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.27% | 4.25% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.48% and Novartis (NVS) at 34.93% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.48%
- Max
- 99.40%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.42%
- Q1
- -61.80%
- Min
- -158.89%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
34.93%
- Max
- 99.40%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.42%
- Q1
- -61.80%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.19% and Novartis (NVS) at 23.92% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each Net Profit Margin (TTM) clears its industry’s benchmark range.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.19%
- Max
- 13.59%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.47%
- Min
- -11.53%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.92%
- Max
- 13.59%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.47%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.94% and Novartis (NVS) at 30.48% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.94%
- Max
- 100.30%
- Q3
- 4.49%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -127.25%
- Min
- -313.85%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.48%
- Max
- 100.30%
- Q3
- 4.49%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -127.25%
- Min
- -313.85%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.48% | 34.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.49% | 10.54% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.19% | 23.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.94% | 30.48% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.51% | 75.55% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 8.63% | 9.57% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.82% | 9.25% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 45.33% | 21.81% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 45.80% | 31.14% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.91 and Novartis (NVS) at 0.85 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.91
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.82
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.85
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.82
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.72 and Novartis (NVS) at 1.21 run Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) in the higher-leverage quartile of industry peers, indicating more debt relative to equity than typical competitors.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.21
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.21 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.32 | 1.75 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.70% and Novartis (NVS) at 3.19% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.70%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.19%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 47.70% and Novartis (NVS) at 67.91% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
47.70%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
67.91%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.70% | 3.19% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.70% | 67.91% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 30.75% | 30.77% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 25.75% | 20.54% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 0.47 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.94M | 1.71M |