AstraZeneca plc vs Waste Management, Inc. — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $166.76 (market cap $253.13B), while Waste Management, Inc. trades at $234.36 (market cap $94.08B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 2.7× Waste Management, Inc.'s market cap, and AstraZeneca plc pays the higher dividend (1.92%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | WM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $253.13B | $94.08B |
Sector | Health | Industrials |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $246.51 |
52-Week Low | $137.44 | $196.77 |
Enterprise Value | $279.37B | $116.81B |
Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 1.51% |
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.
WM trades at $236.71, up 1.45% today, near its 52-week high. The stock shows bullish technical signals with strong moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $263.57. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 2026, with revenue growth to $25.20 billion in 2025. The company maintains solid profitability with a 10.99% net margin and offers a dividend, with the next payment scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to pricing discipline and renewable energy initiatives, but high valuation multiples (P/E 34.26) and recent earnings misses pose risks. Institutional sentiment is bullish with no sell ratings, though debt levels have increased. Key near-term catalyst is Q2 2026 earnings release on July 28, 2026.
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 →Waste Management ranks as the largest integrated provider of traditional solid waste services in the United States, operating approximately 260 active landfills and about 340 transfer stations. The company serves residential, commercial, and industrial end markets and is also a leading recycler in North America.
Read more on WM →