GSK vs. AZN
GSK (GlaxoSmithKline plc) and AZN (AstraZeneca PLC) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, GSK returned 4.64%/yr vs 15.85%/yr for AZN. A 0.55 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
GSK vs. AZN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, GSK achieves a 4.91% return, which is significantly higher than AZN's 0.81% return. Over the past 10 years, GSK has underperformed AZN with an annualized return of 4.64%, while AZN has yielded a comparatively higher 15.85% annualized return.
GSK
- 1D
- -1.71%
- 1M
- 1.25%
- YTD
- 4.91%
- 6M
- 6.15%
- 1Y
- 27.36%
- 3Y*
- 17.87%
- 5Y*
- 4.68%
- 10Y*
- 4.64%
AZN
- 1D
- -2.37%
- 1M
- -0.71%
- YTD
- 0.81%
- 6M
- 1.53%
- 1Y
- 28.04%
- 3Y*
- 9.54%
- 5Y*
- 12.08%
- 10Y*
- 15.85%
GSK vs. AZN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 4.91% | 51.23% | -5.14% | 9.71% | -33.41% | 26.74% | -17.72% | 29.24% | 13.79% | -2.97% |
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 0.81% | 43.30% | -0.62% | 1.44% | 19.14% | 19.66% | 3.12% | 35.68% | 13.86% | 33.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between GSK and AZN is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.56 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 17, 1993 | 0.55 |
The correlation between GSK and AZN shifts across timeframes, from 0.55 (all time) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
GSK:
$103.15B
AZN:
$283.40B
GSK:
$2.85
AZN:
$6.66
GSK:
17.78
AZN:
27.27
GSK:
1.19
AZN:
0.04
GSK:
3.16
AZN:
4.69
GSK:
4.38
AZN:
5.99
GSK:
$32.78B
AZN:
$60.44B
GSK:
$23.87B
AZN:
$49.37B
GSK:
$11.30B
AZN:
$20.47B
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Return for Risk
GSK vs. AZN — Risk / Return Rank
GSK
AZN
GSK vs. AZN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| GSK | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.09 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.26 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.19 | 1.21 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.48 | 1.83 | -0.36 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 3.38 | 4.90 | -1.52 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| GSK | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 1.02 | 1.11 | -0.09 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.19 | 0.51 | -0.32 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.20 | 0.64 | -0.44 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.32 | 0.49 | -0.17 |
Drawdowns
GSK vs. AZN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum GSK drawdown since its inception was -55.70%, which is greater than AZN's maximum drawdown of -48.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for GSK and AZN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| GSK | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.70% | -48.94% | -6.76% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -18.63% | -15.43% | -3.20% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -28.46% | -27.87% | -0.59% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -50.10% | -27.87% | -22.23% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -50.10% | -27.87% | -22.23% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -15.91% | -12.90% | -3.01% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -18.87% | -11.37% | -7.50% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 8.11% | 5.75% | +2.36% |
Volatility
GSK vs. AZN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) is 6.42%, while AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has a volatility of 7.42%. This indicates that GSK experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AZN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| GSK | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 6.42% | 7.42% | -1.00% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 18.51% | 17.47% | +1.04% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 26.94% | 25.55% | +1.39% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.06% | 24.02% | +1.04% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.89% | 24.94% | -2.05% |
Dividends
GSK vs. AZN - Dividend Comparison
GSK's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.41%, more than AZN's 2.93% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 2.93% | 1.70% | 2.27% | 2.15% | 2.12% | 2.35% | 2.80% | 2.81% | 3.69% | 3.95% | 5.01% | 4.06% |
GSK GlaxoSmithKline plc | 3.41% | 3.42% | 4.60% | 3.75% | 5.47% | 4.99% | 5.59% | 4.35% | 5.65% | 5.83% | 6.86% | 5.93% |
Financials
GSK vs. AZN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between GlaxoSmithKline plc and AstraZeneca PLC. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
GSK vs. AZN - Profitability Comparison
GSK - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported a gross profit of 5.75B and revenue of 7.63B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 75.4%.
AZN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a gross profit of 12.61B and revenue of 15.29B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 82.5%.
GSK - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported an operating income of 2.29B and revenue of 7.63B, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%.
AZN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported an operating income of 4.25B and revenue of 15.29B, resulting in an operating margin of 27.8%.
GSK - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, GlaxoSmithKline plc reported a net income of 1.74B and revenue of 7.63B, resulting in a net margin of 22.8%.
AZN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a net income of 3.08B and revenue of 15.29B, resulting in a net margin of 20.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
GSK and AZN have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AZN has higher volatility (7.42%) compared to GSK (6.42%). In terms of maximum drawdown, GSK dropped -55.70% vs AZN's -48.94%.
AZN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.11 vs 1.02), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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