AstraZeneca plc vs McKesson Corporation — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $158.42 (market cap $248.14B), while McKesson Corporation trades at $894.19 (market cap $105.14B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 2.4× McKesson Corporation's market cap, and AstraZeneca plc pays the higher dividend (2.01%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | MCK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $248.14B | $105.14B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $995.69 |
52-Week Low | $147.06 | $659.01 |
Enterprise Value | $275.41B | $111.67B |
Dividend Yield | 2.01% | 0.42% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AstraZeneca (AZN) trades at $161.91, up 0.3% on the day, amid mixed technical signals and strong fundamental performance. The stock exhibits a bearish technical trend with key support at $161 and resistance at $163, while recent earnings consistently beat expectations with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.63 versus $2.50 estimated. Revenue growth has been robust, climbing from $44.4B in 2022 to $58.7B in 2025, with a net income margin of 17.4% in 2025. Recent news centers on potential merger discussions with Bristol Myers Squibb, though reports on August 5, 2026, from Reuters indicate no current talks.
The outlook for AZN is cautiously optimistic, driven by solid profitability and analyst support, but tempered by merger-related volatility and a bearish technical setup. Investment opportunities lie in its high gross margin of 81.88% and positive earnings trajectory, while risks include integration challenges from any future acquisitions and market sensitivity to deal speculation. The stock's valuation at a P/E of 23.76 appears reasonable given its growth profile.
McKesson (MCK) trades at $879.87, up 1.18% today, with strong momentum from recent earnings beats and raised guidance. The stock shows bullish technical signals, supported by robust revenue growth and solid cash flow generation. Recent news highlights strength in specialty drugs and oncology, driving positive sentiment.
Outlook remains favorable with a consensus price target of $990.67, though thin profit margins and high liabilities pose risks. Continued execution on growth initiatives and cost discipline are key for sustained upside, while macroeconomic pressures and competitive dynamics require monitoring.
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 →