Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AGIO) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AGIO | 48.0% revenue growth vs AZN's 8.6% |
| Quality / Margins | AZN | 17.4% net margin vs AGIO's -9.0% |
| Stability / Safety | AZN | Beta 0.27 vs AGIO's 0.91 |
| Dividends | AZN | 0.8% yield; 4-year raise streak; AGIO pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | AZN | +40.3% vs AGIO's -14.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AZN | 9.0% ROA vs AGIO's -29.0%, ROIC 14.9% vs -26.6% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
AstraZeneca is a global biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, manufactures, and commercializes prescription medicines across multiple therapeutic areas. It generates revenue primarily from oncology drugs (~40% of total revenue), cardiovascular/renal/metabolism treatments (~30%), and respiratory/immunology products, with the remainder from rare diseases and vaccines. The company's competitive advantage lies in its robust R&D pipeline—particularly in oncology and biologics—and its global commercial infrastructure that spans both developed and emerging markets.
Agios Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for rare genetic diseases related to cellular metabolism. It generates revenue primarily from sales of its lead drug PYRUKYND for pyruvate kinase deficiency — with additional income from research collaborations and milestone payments — while advancing a pipeline of other metabolic therapies. The company's competitive advantage lies in its deep expertise in cellular metabolism science and proprietary platform for targeting metabolic pathways in rare diseases.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
AZN leads in 4 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). AGIO leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AZN is the larger business by revenue, generating $58.7B annually — 1311.4x AGIO's $45M. AZN is the more profitable business, keeping 17.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AGIO's -9.0%. On growth, AGIO holds the edge at +43.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $58.7B | $45M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $19.5B | -$470M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $10.2B | -$401M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $10.5B | -$414M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +81.9% | +84.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +23.4% | -10.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +17.4% | -9.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +17.9% | -9.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.1% | +43.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +54.2% | -111.0% |
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $323.2B | $2.25T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $347.1B | $2.25T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 63.75x | -4.25x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 20.30x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 2.92x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.82x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 5.50x | 9999.00x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 13.37x | 1.47x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 27.47x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
AZN delivers a 21.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $21 in annual profit, vs $-31 for AGIO. AGIO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AZN's 0.61x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AZN scores 8/9 vs AGIO's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +21.0% | -31.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.0% | -29.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.9% | -26.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +17.2% | -33.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 8 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.61x | 0.03x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $24.0B | -$49M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $5.7B | $89M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $29.7B | $40M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 8.32x | — |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AZN five years ago would be worth $22,160 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $6,363 for AGIO. Over the past 12 months, AZN leads with a +40.3% total return vs AGIO's -14.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AZN at 18.3% vs AGIO's 6.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.3% | +11.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +40.3% | -14.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +65.7% | +19.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +121.6% | -36.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +296.2% | -21.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +18.3% | +6.1% |
Risk & Volatility
AZN is the less volatile stock with a 0.27 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AGIO's 0.91 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AZN currently trades 98.0% from its 52-week high vs AGIO's 65.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.27x | 0.91x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $212.71 | $46.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $91.44 | $22.24 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +98.0% | +65.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.1 | 62.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.5M | 948K |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AZN as "Buy" and AGIO as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 37.3% upside for AGIO (target: $42) vs -49.4% for AZN (target: $106). AZN is the only dividend payer here at 0.78% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | AZNAstraZeneca PLC | AGIOAgios Pharmaceuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $105.50 | $41.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 41 | 29 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 4 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.63 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | 0.0% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Feb 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) | 100 | 215.94 | +115.9% |
| Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO) | 100 | 59.31 | -40.7% |
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) returned +122% over 5 years vs Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO)'s -36%. A $10,000 investment in AZN 5 years ago would be worth $22,160 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) | $23.0B | $58.7B | +155.4% |
| Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO) | $70M | $54M | -22.7% |
AstraZeneca PLC's revenue grew from $23.0B (2016) to $58.7B (2025) — a 11.0% CAGR. Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s revenue grew from $70M (2016) to $54M (2025) — a -2.8% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) | 15.2% | 17.5% | +14.8% |
| Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO) | -2.8% | -7.6% | -169.0% |
AstraZeneca PLC's net margin went from 15% (2016) to 17% (2025). Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s net margin went from -3% (2016) to -8% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 8 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) | 54.3 | 53.7 | -1.1% |
AstraZeneca PLC has traded in a 54x–194x P/E range over 8 years; current trailing P/E is ~64x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) | 1.38 | 3.27 | +137.0% |
| Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO) | -5.07 | -7.12 | -40.4% |
AstraZeneca PLC's EPS grew from $1.38 (2016) to $3.27 (2025) — a 10% CAGR. Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s EPS grew from $-5.07 (2016) to $-7.12 (2025).
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
AstraZeneca PLC generated $12B FCF in 2025 (+213% vs 2021). Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. generated $-377M FCF in 2025 (+9% vs 2021).
AZN vs AGIO: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AZN or AGIO a better buy right now?
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) offers the better valuation at 63.7x trailing P/E (20.3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) a "Buy" — based on 41 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — AZN or AGIO?
Over the past 5 years, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) delivered a total return of +121.6%, compared to -36.4% for Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AGIO). A $10,000 investment in AZN five years ago would be worth approximately $22K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AZN returned +296.2% versus AGIO's -21.2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — AZN or AGIO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.27β versus Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s 0.91β — meaning AGIO is approximately 241% more volatile than AZN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AGIO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 61% for AstraZeneca PLC — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which has better profit margins — AZN or AGIO?
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the more profitable company, earning 17.5% net margin versus -764.0% for Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — meaning it keeps 17.5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AZN leads at 23.4% versus -873.9% for AGIO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AGIO leads at 88.3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
05Is AZN or AGIO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AGIO: 37.3% to $41.50.
06Which pays a better dividend — AZN or AGIO?
In this comparison, AZN (0.8% yield) pays a dividend. AGIO does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is AZN or AGIO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.27), 0.8% yield, +296.2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AZN: +296.2%, AGIO: -21.2%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between AZN and AGIO?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. AZN pays a dividend while AGIO does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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