Compare AstraZeneca plc (AZN) vs Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
AstraZeneca plc vs Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? AstraZeneca plc trades at $157.67 (market cap $248.14B), while Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $84.96. The key difference: AstraZeneca plc pays a 2.01% dividend while Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund pays none, and Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund is trading nearer its 52-week high, AstraZeneca plc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AZN | XLP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $248.14B | — |
Sector | Health | — |
52-Week High | $209.48 | $90.00 |
52-Week Low | $147.06 | $75.61 |
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.
XLP, the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF, trades at $84.585, down 0.43% today. Technical indicators show a neutral overall signal with bullish moving averages, while oscillators remain neutral. The ETF's 2.6% dividend yield provides income appeal, with a dividend scheduled for payment on June 24, 2026. Recent news highlights consumer staples as a defensive play amid market rotation, with Coca-Cola's strong Q2 2026 earnings underscoring sector resilience (ETF Trends, July 29, 2026).
Outlook remains positive given 100% analyst buy ratings and defensive positioning during economic uncertainty. Key risks include sector concentration and sensitivity to consumer spending shifts. The ETF's stability and income generation support a favorable risk-reward profile for conservative investors seeking exposure to essential consumer goods.
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 Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes companies that have been identified as Consumer Staples companies by the GICS®. It is non-diversified.
Read more on XLP →
