AstraZeneca (AZN) vs Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) has outperformed AstraZeneca (AZN) over the past year, gaining 33.8% versus a loss of 6.8%. Over five years, AZN leads with a +31.8% price change compared with +2.3% for BMY. AstraZeneca is the larger company by market cap ($246.25 billion vs $121.70 billion), about 2.0 times the size.
On valuation, Bristol-Myers Squibb trades at a lower forward P/E (9.0x vs 13.7x for AstraZeneca). Bristol-Myers Squibb offers the higher dividend yield (4.21% vs 2.03%). AstraZeneca converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.4% versus 14.6%.
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 | AZN | BMY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.78 | $59.58 |
| Market cap | $246.25B | $121.70B |
| 1-day change | -0.84% | -0.20% |
| YTD return | -12.91% | +10.46% |
| 1-year return | -6.77% | +33.77% |
| 5-year return | +31.83% | +2.30% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.73 | 13.12 |
| Forward P/E | 13.73 | 9.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.69 | $4.54 |
| Dividend yield | 2.03% | 4.21% |
| Annual dividend | $3.23 | $2.51 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $58.74B | $48.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.63% | -0.22% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.22B | $7.05B |
| Gross margin | 81.90% | 71.08% |
| Operating margin | 23.40% | — |
| Net margin | 17.41% | 14.64% |
| 52-week high | $212.71 | $68.64 |
| 52-week low | $153.41 | $42.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.35% | -13.20% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +33.11% | +11.06% |
| Average volume | 3.42M | 11.22M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.55B | 2.04B |
| Employees | 96,100 | 32,500 |
| 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
- AstraZeneca is about 2.0 times larger than Bristol-Myers Squibb by market value ($246.25B vs $121.70B).
- BMY has outperformed AZN by 40.5 percentage points over the past year.
- AstraZeneca trades at a higher earnings multiple (23.7x vs 13.1x trailing P/E).
- Bristol-Myers Squibb offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.21% vs 2.03%).
- AstraZeneca grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.63% vs -0.22%).
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
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
BMY stock →Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The company offers products for oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular, and neuroscience indications.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 32,500 employees
AZN vs BMY FAQ
Which is bigger, AstraZeneca or Bristol-Myers Squibb?
AstraZeneca (AZN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $246.25B compared with $121.70B for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZN or BMY?
BMY returned +33.77% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.77% for AZN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AZN or BMY?
BMY has the lower trailing P/E at 13.1, versus 23.7 for AZN. 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, AstraZeneca or Bristol-Myers Squibb?
Bristol-Myers Squibb has the higher yield at 4.21%, compared with 2.03% for AstraZeneca.
Are AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.