AZN vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AZN and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
AZN trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, WST is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 248.57 billion USD | 17.69 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZN and WST by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.76% | 1.38% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 13.24% | 16.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.43% | 16.62% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -10.56% | -18.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.84% | 2.80% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.41% | -24.91% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.15M | 0.50M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.48M | 0.72M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.35% | 53.35% |
| Beta | 1.01 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AZN
19.84%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
AZN’s Return on Equity of 19.84% is on par with the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WST
17.66%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
14.68%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
AZN’s Net Profit Margin of 14.68% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WST
16.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 16.48% places WST in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
20.04%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
AZN’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.04% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WST
19.65%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
An Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% places WST in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.84% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 7.76% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.68% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.04% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 82.07% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.86
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
AZN’s Current Ratio of 0.86 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
WST
2.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 is in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.73
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
AZN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.73 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AZN
9.51
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
AZN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.51 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
WST
130.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 130.12, WST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.73 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.51 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZN
2.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Yield of 2.00% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
WST
0.35%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AZN
59.51%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 59.51% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
WST
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.00% | 0.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 59.51% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZN
29.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
A P/E Ratio of 29.72 places AZN in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
WST
35.08
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
WST’s P/E Ratio of 35.08 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZN
4.36
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
AZN’s P/S Ratio of 4.36 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
WST
5.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
WST’s P/S Ratio of 5.78 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
4.74
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
AZN’s P/B Ratio of 4.74 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.72 | 35.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.36 | 5.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.74 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.13 | 49.74 |