AstraZeneca (AZN) vs Pfizer (PFE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Pfizer (PFE) has outperformed AstraZeneca (AZN) over the past year, gaining 6.6% versus a loss of 6.8%. Over five years, AZN leads with a +33.3% price change compared with -32.5% for PFE. AstraZeneca is the larger company by market cap ($248.33 billion vs $159.59 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 13.8x for AstraZeneca). Pfizer offers the higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.02%). AstraZeneca converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 17.4% versus 12.4%.
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 | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.12 | $28.00 |
| Market cap | $248.33B | $159.59B |
| 1-day change | +0.95% | +1.82% |
| YTD return | -12.91% | +12.45% |
| 1-year return | -6.77% | +6.59% |
| 5-year return | +33.34% | -32.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.93 | 36.84 |
| Forward P/E | 13.85 | 9.67 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.69 | $0.76 |
| Dividend yield | 2.02% | 6.14% |
| Annual dividend | $3.23 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $58.74B | $62.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.63% | -1.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.22B | $7.77B |
| Gross margin | 81.90% | 74.33% |
| Operating margin | 23.40% | — |
| Net margin | 17.41% | 12.42% |
| 52-week high | $212.71 | $29.21 |
| 52-week low | $153.41 | $23.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.72% | -4.14% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.99% | +3.25% |
| Average volume | 3.41M | 36.02M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.55B | 5.70B |
| Employees | 96,100 | 75,000 |
| 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
- PFE has outperformed AZN by 13.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Pfizer trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.8x vs 23.9x trailing P/E).
- Pfizer offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 2.02%).
- AstraZeneca grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.63% vs -1.65%).
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 Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 75,000 employees
AZN vs PFE FAQ
Which is bigger, AstraZeneca or Pfizer?
AstraZeneca (AZN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $248.33B compared with $159.59B for Pfizer (PFE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZN or PFE?
PFE returned +6.59% 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 PFE?
AZN has the lower trailing P/E at 23.9, versus 36.8 for PFE. 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 Pfizer?
Pfizer has the higher yield at 6.14%, compared with 2.02% for AstraZeneca.
Are AstraZeneca and Pfizer in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.