AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)
AZN leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though VZ is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and Verizon Communications Inc. 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
VZ
Verizon Communications Inc.
$48.11Communication Services
Total return — AZN vs VZ
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +732.9%VZ +72.0%AZN compounded faster
AZN VZ
AZN vs VZ: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($277.22B vs $200.89B market cap).
- •VZ trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.73 vs 26.92 P/E).
- •AZN converts more revenue to profit (17.19% vs 12.46% net margin).
- •AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 1.44% CAGR).
- •VZ pays the higher dividend yield (5.75% vs 1.79%).
Which is better, AZN or VZ?
Metric tally: AZN 9 · VZ 7It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVZ(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeVZ(higher dividend yield)
QualityAZN(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.92 | 11.73● |
| Forward P/E | 15.33 | 9.17● |
| P/S ratio | 4.62 | 1.46● |
| P/B ratio | 5.90 | 1.96● |
| PEG ratio | 0.14 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.92 | 8.02● |
| FCF yield | 2.89% | 9.90%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68%● | 58.85% |
| Operating margin | 23.69%● | 21.22% |
| Net margin | 17.19%● | 12.46% |
| ROE | 21.95%● | 16.78% |
| ROIC | 13.03%● | 6.22% |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.79% | 5.75%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.48% | 68.10% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | VZ |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99%● | 1.44% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02%● | -1.14% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.68%● | -1.27% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 11.03%● | 2.76% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or VZ?
- It depends on your goal. value: VZ (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: VZ (higher dividend yield); quality: AZN (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 9 to 7.
- Is AZN or VZ cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VZ is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.92 P/E and VZ at 11.73.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or VZ?
- Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus VZ at 1.44%.
- Does AZN or VZ pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN yields 1.79% and VZ yields 5.75% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AZN or VZ more profitable?
- AZN runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus VZ at 12.46%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or VZ?
- Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus VZ at 4.53%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioVerizon Communications P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldVerizon Communications dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROEVerizon Communications ROEAstraZeneca operating marginVerizon Communications operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthVerizon Communications revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowVerizon Communications free cash flow
AstraZeneca & Verizon Communications 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.