AstraZeneca (AZN) vs Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has outperformed AstraZeneca (AZN) over the past year, gaining 35.2% versus a loss of 7.0%. Over five years, JNJ leads with a +59.0% price change compared with +31.8% for AZN. Johnson & Johnson is the larger company by market cap ($628.13 billion vs $247.09 billion), about 2.5 times the size, while AstraZeneca is growing revenue faster (+8.6% vs +6.0%).
On valuation, AstraZeneca trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 21.5x for Johnson & Johnson). AstraZeneca offers the higher dividend yield (2.03% vs 2.01%). Johnson & Johnson converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.5% versus 17.4%.
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 | JNJ |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $159.32 | $260.65 |
| Market cap | $247.09B | $628.13B |
| 1-day change | +0.34% | +1.62% |
| YTD return | -13.64% | +23.93% |
| 1-year return | -7.02% | +35.21% |
| 5-year return | +31.83% | +59.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.81 | 30.20 |
| Forward P/E | 13.78 | 21.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.69 | $8.63 |
| Dividend yield | 2.03% | 2.01% |
| Annual dividend | $3.23 | $5.24 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $58.74B | $94.19B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.63% | +6.05% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.22B | $26.80B |
| Gross margin | 81.90% | 67.88% |
| Operating margin | 23.40% | — |
| Net margin | 17.41% | 28.46% |
| 52-week high | $212.71 | $281.07 |
| 52-week low | $153.41 | $184.66 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.10% | -7.27% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +32.66% | +7.29% |
| Average volume | 3.37M | 7.01M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.55B | 2.41B |
| Employees | 96,100 | 138,200 |
| 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
- Johnson & Johnson is about 2.5 times larger than AstraZeneca by market value ($628.13B vs $247.09B).
- JNJ has outperformed AZN by 42.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Johnson & Johnson trades at a higher earnings multiple (30.2x vs 23.8x trailing P/E).
- Johnson & Johnson is more profitable, keeping 28.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 17.4 cents for AstraZeneca.
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 Johnson & Johnson
JNJ stock →Johnson & Johnson, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of a range of products in the healthcare field worldwide. It operates in two segments, Innovative Medicine and MedTech.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 138,200 employees
AZN vs JNJ FAQ
Which is bigger, AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson?
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is larger, with a market capitalization of $628.13B compared with $247.09B for AstraZeneca (AZN).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZN or JNJ?
JNJ returned +35.21% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.02% for AZN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AZN or JNJ?
AZN has the lower trailing P/E at 23.8, versus 30.2 for JNJ. 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 Johnson & Johnson?
AstraZeneca has the higher yield at 2.03%, compared with 2.01% for Johnson & Johnson.
Are AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.