AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)

AZN leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 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 UNH

growth of $100 · last 30y
AZN +723.4%UNH +6127.4%UNH compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$823$6,227
AZN UNH

AZN vs UNH: by the numbers

  • UNH is the larger company ($371.00B vs $277.22B market cap).
  • AZN trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.92 vs 30.85 P/E).
  • AZN converts more revenue to profit (17.19% vs 2.68% net margin).
  • AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 11.33% CAGR).
  • UNH pays the higher dividend yield (2.16% vs 1.79%).

Which is better, AZN or UNH?

Metric tally: AZN 12 · UNH 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAZN(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUNH(higher dividend yield)
QualityAZN(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAZNUNH
P/E ratio26.9230.85
Forward P/E15.3319.54
P/S ratio4.620.83
P/B ratio5.903.58
PEG ratio0.14
EV / EBITDA14.9218.34
FCF yield3.26%5.29%

Profitability

MetricAZNUNH
Gross margin81.68%18.80%
Operating margin23.69%4.19%
Net margin17.19%2.68%
ROE21.95%11.59%
ROIC13.03%8.23%

Dividends

MetricAZNUNH
Dividend yield1.79%2.16%
Payout ratio48.48%66.82%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAZNUNH
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.99%11.33%
EPS CAGR (5Y)22.02%-4.06%
FCF CAGR (5Y)18.52%-3.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.03%2.28%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AZN or UNH?
It depends on your goal. value: AZN (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UNH (higher dividend yield); quality: AZN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 12 to 4.
Is AZN or UNH cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AZN is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and UNH at 30.85.
Which has grown faster, AZN or UNH?
Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
Does AZN or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
AZN yields 1.79% and UNH yields 2.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AZN or UNH more profitable?
AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus UNH at 2.68%.
Which has been the better investment, AZN or UNH?
Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus UNH at 13.20%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.