Compare AstraZeneca plc (AZN) vs Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
AstraZeneca plc vs Global X Defense Tech ETF — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $158.17 (market cap $248.14B), while Global X Defense Tech ETF trades at $69.69. The key difference: AstraZeneca plc pays a 2.01% dividend while Global X Defense Tech ETF pays none, and Global X Defense Tech ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, AstraZeneca plc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | SHLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $248.14B | — |
Sector | Health | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $78.02 |
52-Week Low | $147.06 | $58.20 |
Enterprise Value | $275.41B | — |
Dividend Yield | 2.01% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
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.
SHLD, the Global X Defense Tech ETF, trades at $69.74, down slightly by 0.16% today. Technical indicators show a bullish trend with strong moving average signals, though oscillators are neutral and RSI levels suggest overbought conditions. Recent news highlights increased institutional investment, with firms like Focus Financial Network raising stakes by 55.4% in Q2 2026 (Defense World, 2026-08-11). The ETF benefits from global defense spending trends, including a $20 billion UK military overhaul (Zacks Investment Research, 2026-07-02).
The outlook for SHLD is positive, driven by rising global defense budgets and technological advancements in defense sectors. Investment opportunities include diversified exposure to defense innovation, supported by institutional accumulation. Risks involve geopolitical shifts, potential tariff impacts from policies like Trump's new tariffs (Fool - Investing News, 2026-08-04), and valuation pressures if growth slows. The ETF's performance hinges on sustained military expenditure increases and contract awards.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About AstraZeneca plc
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 →About Global X Defense Tech ETF
SHLD tracks the Global X Defense Tech Index, targeting companies that lead the technological transformation of the defense sector. It focuses on pure-play innovators in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced military systems, excluding traditional commercial aerospace to maintain a high level of thematic purity.
Read more on SHLD →
