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AZN vs. UTHR: AstraZeneca vs. United Therapeutics Stock Comparison

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

United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Profile ItemAZNUTHR
NameAstraZeneca PLC American Depositary SharesUnited Therapeutics Corporation
Country/RegionUnited KingdomUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
Market Capitalization289.14 billion USD23.94 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateMay 12, 1993June 17, 1999
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AZN
UTHR
GSPC
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR), 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
Total Return (1Y)12.64%28.77%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)15.75%37.63%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)10.63%23.78%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AZN
UTHR
GSPC
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR), 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.21%35.00%
Beta (5Y)0.220.49
Max Drawdown (5Y)-27.87%-33.00%
Avg. Volume (3M)3.14M694.55K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AZN and UTHR 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.300.70
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.441.29

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 22.57% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 19.13% 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%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

19.13%

Max
109.18%
UTHR
19.13%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 38.61% 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%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

38.61%

UTHR
38.61%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 28.99% 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%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

28.99%

Max
83.12%
UTHR
28.99%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
ROE (TTM)22.57%19.13%
ROA (TTM)8.59%10.91%
Net Margin (TTM)17.68%38.61%
Operating Margin (TTM)29.57%28.99%
Gross Margin (TTM)81.78%86.34%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 10.61% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.33% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 13.07% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
Revenue Growth (YoY)8.63%10.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)9.82%18.02%
EPS Growth (YoY)45.33%13.07%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)45.80%22.92%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 4.61 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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.61

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
UTHR
4.61
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Only one side’s leverage can be read here: AstraZeneca (AZN) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66 against its industry range, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports no figure this period.

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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
UTHR
--
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): UTHR does not report debt-to-equity ratio, so it has no value marker; AZN is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.014.61
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.66--
Net Debt / EBITDA1.23-1.53

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

UTHR
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

UTHR
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 21.22 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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.22

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
UTHR
21.22
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 7.51 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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.51

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
UTHR
7.51
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): 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 5.59 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 3.80 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.80

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
UTHR
3.80
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AstraZeneca (AZN) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
MetricAZNUTHR
P/E Ratio (TTM)26.3721.22
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.637.51
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.593.80
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.95%1.90%