CMPX vs AZN

For growth investors, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the stronger pick with 8.

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -100. 0% for Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX). AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) offers the better valuation at 28. 3x trailing P/E (18. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX) a "Buy" — based on 15 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.

Over the past 5 years, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) delivered a total return of +87.

0%, compared to -64. 8% for Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AZN returned +290. 3% versus CMPX's -78. 2%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.

67β versus Compass Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 35β — meaning CMPX is approximately 102% more volatile than AZN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 61% for AstraZeneca PLC — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is pulling ahead at 8.

6% versus -100. 0% for Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (CMPX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AstraZeneca PLC grew EPS 190. 7% year-over-year, compared to -16. 7% for Compass Therapeutics, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) is the more profitable company, earning 17.

5% net margin versus 0. 0% for Compass Therapeutics, 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 0. 0% for CMPX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AZN leads at 81. 9%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CMPX: 505.

7% to $11. 20.

In this comparison, AZN (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. CMPX does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

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.

67), 1. 8% yield, +290. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AZN: +290. 3%, CMPX: -78. 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.

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 CMPX 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.