AstraZeneca plc vs Western Union Co — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $168.98 (market cap $253.13B), while Western Union Co trades at $8.07 (market cap $2.46B). The key difference: AstraZeneca plc is far larger — about 102.9× Western Union Co's market cap, and Western Union Co pays the higher dividend (11.93%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | WU | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $253.13B | $2.46B |
Sector | Health | Technology |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $10.28 |
52-Week Low | $137.44 | $7.04 |
Enterprise Value | $279.37B | $2.16B |
Dividend Yield | 1.92% | 11.93% |
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.
Western Union (WU) trades at $7.87, up 0.38% with a bullish technical signal. The stock shows attractive valuation with P/E of 5.79 and P/S of 0.63, supported by strong profitability metrics including 47.66% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed performance with Q1 2026 miss but Q3 and Q4 2025 beats. The company maintains strategic partnerships with Total Wireless and digital expansion initiatives, though revenue has declined from $4.5B in 2022 to $4.05B in 2025.
WU presents a value opportunity with deep valuation discounts but faces revenue headwinds and competitive pressures. The 11.5% dividend yield provides income support, though high debt levels and declining net income margins warrant caution. Analyst consensus remains mixed with 58% hold ratings, reflecting balanced risk-reward amid digital transformation efforts.
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 →Western Union provides domestic and international money transfers through its global network of about 500,000 outside agents. It is the largest money transfer company in the world and one of only a few companies with a truly global agent network.
Read more on WU →