Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs AstraZeneca (AZN)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
AstraZeneca (AZN) has outperformed Abbott Laboratories (ABT) over the past year, losing 6.8% versus a loss of 25.8%. Over five years, AZN leads with a +32.9% price change compared with -16.0% for ABT. AstraZeneca is the larger company by market cap ($244.58 billion vs $168.68 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, AstraZeneca trades at a lower forward P/E (13.6x vs 16.1x for Abbott Laboratories). Abbott Laboratories offers the higher dividend yield (2.54% vs 2.05%). AstraZeneca converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.4% versus 14.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABT | AZN |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $97.48 | $157.70 |
| Market cap | $168.68B | $244.58B |
| 1-day change | -1.27% | -1.51% |
| YTD return | -21.20% | -12.91% |
| 1-year return | -25.78% | -6.77% |
| 5-year return | -15.97% | +32.95% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.45 | 23.57 |
| Forward P/E | 16.07 | 13.64 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.10 | $6.69 |
| Dividend yield | 2.54% | 2.05% |
| Annual dividend | $2.48 | $3.23 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $44.33B | $58.74B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.67% | +8.63% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.52B | $10.22B |
| Gross margin | 56.42% | 81.90% |
| Operating margin | 18.17% | 23.40% |
| Net margin | 14.72% | 17.41% |
| 52-week high | $135.13 | $212.71 |
| 52-week low | $81.97 | $153.41 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.86% | -25.86% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.84% | +34.02% |
| Average volume | 9.56M | 3.42M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.73B | 1.55B |
| Employees | 122,000 | 96,100 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AZN has outperformed ABT by 19.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Abbott Laboratories trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.4x vs 23.6x trailing P/E).
About Abbott Laboratories
ABT stock →Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 122,000 employees
About AstraZeneca
AZN stock →AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company offers Imjudo, Datroway, Iressa, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Crestor, Andexxa, Onglyza, Symlin, XIGDUO XR, Atacand, Atacand HCT, Atacand Plus, Farxiga/Forxiga, Plendil, Modip, Splendil, Munobal, Flodil, Tenormin, Tenormine, Prenormine, Atenol, Zestril, Brilinta/Brilique, Komboglyze, Qtern, Wainua, Byetta, Lokelma, Seloken ZOK, Toprol-XL, Betaloc ZOK, XIGDUO, Accolate, Accoleit, Vanticon, Bricanyl Respules, Eklira Genuair/Tudorza/Bretaris, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Symbicort Turbuhaler, Airsupra, Bricanyl Turbuhaler, Fasenra, Rhinocort, Tezspire, Bevespi Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Oxis Turbuhaler, Saphnelo, Breztri Aerosphere, Duaklir Genuair, Pulmicort Respules, and Symbicort pMDI.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 96,100 employees
ABT vs AZN FAQ
Which is bigger, Abbott Laboratories or AstraZeneca?
AstraZeneca (AZN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $244.58B compared with $168.68B for Abbott Laboratories (ABT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABT or AZN?
AZN returned -6.77% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.78% for ABT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABT or AZN?
AZN has the lower trailing P/E at 23.6, versus 31.4 for ABT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Abbott Laboratories or AstraZeneca?
Abbott Laboratories has the higher yield at 2.54%, compared with 2.05% for AstraZeneca.
Are Abbott Laboratories and AstraZeneca in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.