About AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
AstraZeneca PLC is a Drug Manufacturers - General company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom. AZN has been publicly traded since 1993, giving it 33+ years of trading history.
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has been publicly traded since 1993, making it a 33-year-old public company. It operates in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom and employs approximately 96,100 people. With a market capitalization of £223 billion, AZN is one of the largest publicly traded companies.
AZN trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mega-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £223 billion. The company employs approximately 96,100 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £14,380.00
- Market Cap
- £223.01B
- 52-Week High
- £15,732.00
- 52-Week Low
- £9,573.51
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Drug Manufacturers - General
AZN Investment Performance
AZN has gained 4.3% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in AZN would have grown to £2,017, representing a 101.7% total return. Since its IPO in 1993, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £24,206.
£1,000 Invested in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN)
How much would £1,000 invested in AZN be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in AZN 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) in 2025 would be worth £1,208 as of March 2026, representing a +20.8% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in AZN 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) in 2023 would be worth £1,331 as of March 2026, representing a +33.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in AZN 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) in 2021 would be worth £2,017 as of March 2026, representing a +101.7% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in AZN 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) in 2016 would be worth £3,649 as of March 2026, representing a +264.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in AZN at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) at IPO would be worth £24,206 as of March 2026, representing a +2320.6% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 32+ years (394 months), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has averaged a monthly return of +1.01% with a median return of +0.47%. The stock had 213 positive months (54%) and 181 negative months (46%). The best month in AZN's history was October 2002 with a +23.7% return, while the worst was August 2002 at -20.4%. Historically, March tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.6%), and February the weakest (-0.6%).
AZN's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2005 with a cumulative return of +42.1%, and the worst was 2004 at -33.2%.
Annual Returns
Over 33 years of trading history, AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has delivered an average annual return of +10.88% with a median return of +4.74%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +9.10%. The stock posted gains in 22 years (67%) and losses in 11 years (33%).
AZN's best year was 2005 with a +49.80% gain, while the worst was 2004 at -29.50%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 5, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. AZN achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 16 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 3 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.29% | £13,788.58 | £14,380.00 |
| 2025 | +31.76% | £10,464.70 | £13,788.58 |
| 2024 | -1.22% | £10,594.37 | £10,464.70 |
| 2023 | -5.49% | £11,209.74 | £10,594.37 |
| 2022 | +29.30% | £8,669.60 | £11,209.74 |
| 2021 | +18.52% | £7,314.92 | £8,669.60 |
| 2020 | -3.69% | £7,595.46 | £7,314.92 |
| 2019 | +29.57% | £5,862.12 | £7,595.46 |
| 2018 | +14.73% | £5,109.52 | £5,862.12 |
| 2017 | +15.46% | £4,425.46 | £5,109.52 |
| 2016 | -3.84% | £4,601.95 | £4,425.46 |
| 2015 | +1.38% | £4,539.27 | £4,601.95 |
| 2014 | +27.50% | £3,560.29 | £4,539.27 |
| 2013 | +22.93% | £2,896.26 | £3,560.29 |
| 2012 | -2.14% | £2,959.69 | £2,896.26 |
| 2011 | +1.87% | £2,905.32 | £2,959.69 |
| 2010 | +0.44% | £2,892.45 | £2,905.32 |
| 2009 | +3.74% | £2,788.18 | £2,892.45 |
| 2008 | +29.77% | £2,148.55 | £2,788.18 |
| 2007 | -21.11% | £2,723.56 | £2,148.55 |
| 2006 | -2.98% | £2,807.15 | £2,723.56 |
| 2005 | +49.80% | £1,873.95 | £2,807.15 |
| 2004 | -29.50% | £2,658.16 | £1,873.95 |
| 2003 | +20.74% | £2,201.49 | £2,658.16 |
| 2002 | -28.33% | £3,071.64 | £2,201.49 |
| 2001 | -8.19% | £3,345.76 | £3,071.64 |
| 2000 | +34.71% | £2,483.60 | £3,345.76 |
| 1999 | -1.82% | £2,529.62 | £2,483.60 |
| 1998 | +22.48% | £2,065.33 | £2,529.62 |
| 1997 | +29.74% | £1,591.92 | £2,065.33 |
| 1996 | +32.25% | £1,203.69 | £1,591.92 |
| 1995 | +41.58% | £850.17 | £1,203.69 |
| 1994 | +4.74% | £811.71 | £850.17 |
AZN Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating AstraZeneca PLC as an investment
Valuation
AZN currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 29.3, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 16.5 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 611.8. The price-to-sales ratio is 3.8.
Dividends
AstraZeneca PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.64%. This translates to £2.36 per share annually. The payout ratio of 48% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
AZN has a beta of 0.23, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £9573.50 to £15732.00, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 21 analyst opinions, AZN has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £16660.36 suggests 15.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: AZN
What sector is AZN in? ▼
AZN operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry. This sector includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers.
How has AZN performed historically? ▼
Over 33 years of trading history, AZN has posted gains in 22 years (67% of the time). The best year was 2005 with a +49.8% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in AZN? ▼
You can invest in AZN through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold AZN.
Does AZN pay dividends? ▼
AstraZeneca PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 1.64%. This translates to £2.36 per share annually. The payout ratio of 48% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does AstraZeneca PLC do? ▼
AstraZeneca PLC is a Drug Manufacturers - General company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
What sector is AZN in? ▼
AZN operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry.
When did AZN go public? ▼
AstraZeneca PLC went public in 1993, making it a 33-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in AZN 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in AZN five years ago would be worth approximately £2,017 today, representing a 101.7% return.
Does AZN pay dividends? ▼
Yes, AstraZeneca PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 1.64%, which is £2.36 per share annually.
What is AZN's market cap? ▼
AstraZeneca PLC has a market capitalization of £223 billion, classifying it as a mega-cap company.
What is AZN's P/E ratio? ▼
AZN has a trailing P/E ratio of 29.3 and a forward P/E of 16.5, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is AZN a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 21 opinions, AZN has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £16660.36.
Last updated: 3/14/2026