AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs CVS Health Corporation (CVS)
AZN leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and CVS Health Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AZN vs CVS
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +723.4%CVS +882.3%CVS compounded faster
AZN CVS
AZN vs CVS: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($277.22B vs $130.09B market cap).
- •AZN trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.92 vs 44.92 P/E).
- •AZN converts more revenue to profit (17.19% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays the higher dividend yield (2.61% vs 1.79%).
Which is better, AZN or CVS?
Metric tally: AZN 11 · CVS 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAZN(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCVS(higher dividend yield)
QualityAZN(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.92● | 44.92 |
| Forward P/E | 15.33 | 12.17● |
| P/S ratio | 4.62 | 0.32● |
| P/B ratio | 5.90 | 1.68● |
| PEG ratio | 0.14 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.92● | 17.90 |
| FCF yield | 3.26% | 5.67%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68%● | 13.87% |
| Operating margin | 23.69%● | 1.46% |
| Net margin | 17.19%● | 0.72% |
| ROE | 21.95%● | 3.79% |
| ROIC | 13.03%● | 4.72% |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 2.61%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.48% | 190.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | CVS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99%● | 8.52% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02%● | -23.89% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 18.52%● | -10.57% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.03%● | 7.06% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or CVS?
- It depends on your goal. value: AZN (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CVS (higher dividend yield); quality: AZN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 11 to 5.
- Is AZN or CVS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AZN is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and CVS at 44.92.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or CVS?
- Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus CVS at 8.52%.
- Does AZN or CVS pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN yields 1.79% and CVS yields 2.61% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AZN or CVS more profitable?
- AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus CVS at 0.72%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or CVS?
- Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus CVS at 3.66%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioCVS Health P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldCVS Health dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROECVS Health ROEAstraZeneca operating marginCVS Health operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthCVS Health revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowCVS Health free cash flow
AstraZeneca & CVS Health appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.