Seek Returns

AZN vs. TMO: AstraZeneca vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Comparison

How do AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AZN is classified in Pharmaceuticals while TMO is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.

Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
Profile ItemAZNTMO
NameAstraZeneca PLC American Depositary SharesThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Country/RegionUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsLife Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsLife Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization242.64 billion USD217.52 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateMay 12, 1993March 17, 1980
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN
TMO
GSPC
Loading price history…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), 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

Loading price history…
Trailing total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…
Calendar-year total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Total Return (1Y)0.73%21.73%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)5.20%3.20%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)8.07%1.84%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN
TMO
GSPC
Loading price history…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO), 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

Loading price history…
Distribution of monthly total returns for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.07%30.43%
Beta (5Y)0.240.84
Max Drawdown (5Y)-27.87%-40.95%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.81M2.24M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Loading chart…
AZN and TMO 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.120.58
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.170.93

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 21.97% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 13.52% 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%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.52%

Max
100.28%
TMO
13.52%
Q3
3.43%
Median
-33.05%
Q1
-62.24%
Min
-157.61%
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.02% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 15.04% 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%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

15.04%

TMO
15.04%
Max
13.44%
Q3
3.18%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-14.36%
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 18.75% 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

23.46%

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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.75%

Max
76.04%
TMO
18.75%
Q3
10.89%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-122.64%
Min
-308.66%
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
ROE (TTM)21.97%13.52%
ROA (TTM)8.02%5.13%
Net Margin (TTM)17.02%15.04%
Operating Margin (TTM)23.46%18.75%
Gross Margin (TTM)81.69%40.99%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 3.91% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.33% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 7.32% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.63%3.91%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)9.82%-0.27%
EPS Growth (YoY)45.33%7.32%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)45.80%0.21%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.89 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 1.55 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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.55

Max
26.78
Q3
12.43
Median
5.72
Q1
2.77
TMO
1.55
Min
0.10
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.64 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 0.81 uses more debt funding than most peers.

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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.81

Max
1.48
TMO
0.81
Q3
0.64
Median
0.14
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.891.55
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.640.81
Net Debt / EBITDA1.383.28

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 2.05% and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 0.30% 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%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.30%

TMO
0.30%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 9.69% 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%

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.69%

TMO
9.69%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.05%0.30%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)47.41%9.69%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.42 and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 31.65 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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.65

Max
77.53
Q3
41.75
TMO
31.65
Median
27.59
Q1
15.21
Min
0.13
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 4.69 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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.69

Max
73.14
Q3
31.51
Median
7.39
TMO
4.69
Q1
3.47
Min
0.01
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 4.13 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

TMO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.13

Max
15.18
Q3
7.45
TMO
4.13
Median
3.92
Q1
1.79
Min
-5.47
Loading chart…
AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO)
MetricAZNTMO
P/E Ratio (TTM)23.4231.65
P/S Ratio (TTM)3.954.69
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.824.13
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.02%2.87%