Better Coronavirus Stock: AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson?

Investors have trained their eyes on many biotech companies this year, with a particular focus on those that have a horse in the coronavirus vaccine race. Around the world, there have been more than 25 million reported cases of COVID-19 and over 852,000 people have died from coronavirus-related causes. The U.S. alone has recorded 6 million cases and over 184,000 deaths. Stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns have persisted since early March, leading to the worst economic downturn since the Great Recession. The pressure is on for drug companies to bring a safe and effective vaccine to market that can save lives and help bring people back to work.

Shares of AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) are up 12% and 5.5% this year respectively, compared to the S&P 500, which has recouped its March losses and gained over 10%. But how strong are AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson as investments beyond their abilities to possibly produce a vaccine? As it turns out, there are other reasons to buy shares of these large-cap pharma companies. Let's dig deeper into their COVID-19 development programs and then investigate what other products drive their businesses to pick the most surefire coronavirus stock today.

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Source Fool.com