AZN vs. WST: AstraZeneca vs. West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Comparison
This page compares AstraZeneca (AZN) with West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 21.25% | 46.68% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 26.07% | 41.40% |
| Beta | 0.26 | 1.17 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.96M | 852.79K |
Company Profile
AstraZeneca (AZN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AZN is classified in Pharmaceuticals while WST is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) 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.
| Profile Item | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| 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 | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 277.22 billion USD | 23.23 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AstraZeneca (AZN) at 26.96 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 44.08 sits in the richer quartile — WST needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.96
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- AZN
- 26.96
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
44.08
- Max
- 77.14
- WST
- 44.08
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.59 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 7.21 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.59
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- AZN
- 4.59
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.21
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- WST
- 7.21
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AstraZeneca (AZN) at 5.85 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 7.80 carries an above-peer premium to book — WST is pricier on assets.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.85
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- AZN
- 5.85
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.80
- Max
- 13.23
- WST
- 7.80
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 26.96 | 44.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.59 | 7.21 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.85 | 7.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.37% | 1.19% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.48% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) 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
23.48%
- Max
- 101.32%
- AZN
- 23.48%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.13%
- Max
- 101.32%
- WST
- 19.13%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.19% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 16.85% 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
17.19%
- AZN
- 17.19%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
16.85%
- WST
- 16.85%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.94% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 21.70% 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
27.94%
- Max
- 100.30%
- AZN
- 27.94%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.70%
- Max
- 100.30%
- WST
- 21.70%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.48% | 19.13% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.49% | 11.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.19% | 16.85% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.94% | 21.70% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.51% | 36.28% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 8.63% | 6.25% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.82% | 2.12% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 45.33% | 1.49% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 45.80% | -4.23% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 2.71 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.91 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AZN.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.91
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- AZN
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.23
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.71
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- WST
- 2.71
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.11 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.72 uses more debt funding than most peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- AZN
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.11
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- WST
- 0.11
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 2.71 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.11 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.32 | -0.23 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.77% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.27% 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
1.77%
- AZN
- 1.77%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.27%
- WST
- 0.27%
- 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 West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 11.50% 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
47.70%
- AZN
- 47.70%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
11.50%
- WST
- 11.50%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.77% | 0.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.70% | 11.50% |