AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs International Business Machines Corporation (IBM)
AZN leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics, though IBM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and International Business Machines Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AZN
AstraZeneca PLC
$178.75Healthcare
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation
$272.24Technology
Total return — AZN vs IBM
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +732.9%IBM +1012.1%IBM compounded faster
AZN IBM
AZN vs IBM: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($277.22B vs $255.87B market cap).
- •IBM trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.07 vs 26.92 P/E).
- •AZN converts more revenue to profit (17.19% vs 15.61% net margin).
- •AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs -0.09% CAGR).
- •IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.47% vs 1.79%).
Which is better, AZN or IBM?
Metric tally: AZN 11 · IBM 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueIBM(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeIBM(higher dividend yield)
QualityAZN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.92 | 24.07● |
| Forward P/E | 15.33● | 20.33 |
| P/S ratio | 4.62 | 3.76● |
| P/B ratio | 5.90● | 7.86 |
| PEG ratio | 0.14● | 0.35 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.92● | 19.49 |
| FCF yield | 2.89% | 5.05%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68%● | 58.97% |
| Operating margin | 23.69%● | 16.36% |
| Net margin | 17.19%● | 15.61% |
| ROE | 21.95% | 32.61%● |
| ROIC | 13.03%● | 8.57% |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 2.47%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.48% | 59.24% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | IBM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99%● | -0.09% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02%● | 12.59% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.68%● | -3.35% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.03% | 18.04%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or IBM?
- It depends on your goal. value: IBM (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: IBM (higher dividend yield); quality: AZN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 11 to 6.
- Is AZN or IBM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, IBM is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and IBM at 24.07.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or IBM?
- Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus IBM at -0.09%.
- Does AZN or IBM pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN yields 1.79% and IBM yields 2.47% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AZN or IBM more profitable?
- AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus IBM at 15.61%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or IBM?
- Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus IBM at 11.01%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioInternational Business Machines P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldInternational Business Machines dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROEInternational Business Machines ROEAstraZeneca operating marginInternational Business Machines operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthInternational Business Machines revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowInternational Business Machines free cash flow
AstraZeneca & International Business Machines 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 15, 2026.