AstraZeneca plc vs McKesson Corporation — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $166.7 (market cap $253.13B), while McKesson Corporation trades at $801.97 (market cap $94.06B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 2.7× McKesson Corporation's market cap, and AstraZeneca plc pays the higher dividend (1.92%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | MCK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $253.13B | $94.06B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $995.69 |
52-Week Low | $137.44 | $659.01 |
Enterprise Value | $279.37B | $98.70B |
Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 0.41% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at $169.47, down 1.25% amid recent volatility following a Phase III trial failure for Wainua. The stock shows bearish technical signals with key support at $168 and resistance at $170. Fundamentally, the company reported strong 2025 results with revenue of $58.74B and net income of $10.23B, though a recent $1.5B licensing deal for a lung cancer drug highlights ongoing pipeline investments. Analyst sentiment is mixed with 47.5% buy ratings but recent downgrades from firms like HSBC citing trial setbacks.
The outlook balances robust financials against pipeline execution risks. Revenue growth and high margins support valuation, but the Wainua failure raises concerns about future catalysts. Investors should weigh the company's strong cash flow and market position against clinical trial volatility and potential legal investigations. Near-term price action may hinge on Q2 2026 earnings due July 27, 2026.
McKesson (MCK) trades at $812.28, up 0.78% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows consistent earnings beats, with Q1 2026 EPS of $11.69 exceeding expectations. Revenue grew to $359.05B in 2025, though net margins remain thin at 1.18%. Analysts maintain strong buy consensus (80%) with a $932.83 price target. Recent news highlights growth in specialty pharma and oncology services, supporting positive momentum.
Outlook remains positive driven by earnings strength and sector tailwinds, but risks include policy changes and high liabilities. The stock offers value with a P/E of 21.16 and P/S of 0.25, though investors should monitor debt levels and execution risks amid competitive pressures.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
A merger between Astra of Sweden and Zeneca Group of the United Kingdom formed AstraZeneca in 1999. The firm sells branded drugs across several major therapeutic classes, including gastrointestinal, diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory, cancer, and immunology. The majority of sales come from international markets with the United States representing close to one third of its sales.
Read more on AZN →McKesson is a leading wholesaler of branded, generic, and specialty pharmaceutical products to pharmacies (retail chains, independent, and mail order), hospitals networks, and healthcare providers. Along with AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health, the three account for well over 90% of the U.S. pharmaceutical wholesale industry. McKesson is currently divesting from its pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution in Europe and Canada in order to redeploy capital to strategic growth areas in the U.S. (oncology network and ecosystem, and biopharma services). Additionally, the company supplies medical-surgical products and equipment to healthcare facilities and provides a variety of technology solutions for pharmacies.
Read more on MCK →