SLN vs AZN

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

6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -98. 7% for Silence Therapeutics plc (SLN). AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) offers the better valuation at 27. 9x trailing P/E (17. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Silence Therapeutics plc (SLN) a "Buy" — based on 5 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 +82.

2%, compared to -73. 2% for Silence Therapeutics plc (SLN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AZN returned +268. 6% versus SLN's -64. 4%. 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 Silence Therapeutics plc's 0. 82β — meaning SLN is approximately 23% more volatile than AZN relative to the S&P 500.

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

6% versus -98. 7% for Silence Therapeutics plc (SLN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: AstraZeneca PLC grew EPS 190. 7% year-over-year, compared to 20. 3% for Silence Therapeutics plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, AZN leads at 9. 8% annualised revenue growth. 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 -158. 5% for Silence Therapeutics plc — 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 -160. 6% for SLN. 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 SLN: 720.

1% to $57. 00.

In this comparison, AZN (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. SLN 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, +268. 6% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AZN: +268. 6%, SLN: -64. 4%), 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 SLN 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.