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ACRS vs DAWN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
ACRS vs DAWN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $586M | $2.22B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $8M | $158M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-65M | $-107M |
| Gross Margin | 73.3% | 89.1% |
| Operating Margin | -9.8% | -80.8% |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $3M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $20M | $197M |
ACRS vs DAWN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aclaris Therapeutic… (ACRS) | 100 | 21.9 | -78.1% |
| Day One Biopharmace… (DAWN) | 100 | 90.5 | -9.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ACRS vs DAWN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
ACRS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 0.30
- Lower volatility, beta 0.30, current ratio 5.28x
- Beta 0.30, current ratio 5.28x
DAWN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 20.6%, EPS growth -2.0%
- -8.4% 10Y total return vs ACRS's -76.3%
- 20.6% revenue growth vs ACRS's -58.2%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 20.6% revenue growth vs ACRS's -58.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | -67.8% margin vs ACRS's -8.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.30 vs DAWN's 0.35 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +288.8% vs DAWN's +241.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -20.7% ROA vs ACRS's -40.5%, ROIC -30.5% vs -53.5% |
ACRS vs DAWN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
ACRS vs DAWN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAWN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DAWN is the larger business by revenue, generating $158M annually — 20.2x ACRS's $8M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -67.8% (DAWN) to -8.3% (ACRS). On growth, DAWN holds the edge at +83.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $8M | $158M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$76M | -$124M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$65M | -$107M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$47M | -$108M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +73.3% | +89.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -9.8% | -80.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -8.3% | -67.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.0% | -68.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -85.9% | +83.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +84.2% | +70.0% |
Valuation Metrics
DAWN leads this category, winning 3 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $586M | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $566M | $2.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -9.17x | -20.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 74.83x | 14.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.78x | 5.05x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
DAWN leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DAWN delivers a -23.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-23 in annual profit, vs $-63 for ACRS. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), DAWN scores 4/9 vs ACRS's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -63.0% | -23.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -40.5% | -20.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -53.5% | -30.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -47.7% | -26.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$20M | -$194M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $20M | $197M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $3M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
DAWN leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DAWN five years ago would be worth $9,162 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,118 for ACRS. Over the past 12 months, ACRS leads with a +288.8% total return vs DAWN's +241.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DAWN at 18.2% vs ACRS's -16.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +68.8% | +143.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +288.8% | +241.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -42.1% | +65.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -78.8% | -8.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -76.3% | -8.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -16.7% | +18.2% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ACRS and DAWN each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ACRS is the less volatile stock with a 0.30 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DAWN's 0.35 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.30x | 0.35x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $4.89 | $21.53 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.16 | $5.64 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +99.4% | +100.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 66.0 | 80.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.9M | 4.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ACRS as "Buy" and DAWN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 105.8% upside for ACRS (target: $10) vs 10.3% for DAWN (target: $24).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.00 | $23.75 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 12 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
DAWN leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
ACRS vs DAWN: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ACRS or DAWN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
(DAWN) is the stronger pick with 20. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -58. 2% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS). Analysts rate Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS) a "Buy" — based on 16 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which is the better long-term investment — ACRS or DAWN?
Over the past 5 years, Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
(DAWN) delivered a total return of -8. 4%, compared to -78. 8% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: DAWN returned -8. 4% versus ACRS's -76. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
03Which is safer — ACRS or DAWN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
(ACRS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 30β versus Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. 's 0. 35β — meaning DAWN is approximately 17% more volatile than ACRS relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — ACRS or DAWN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
(DAWN) is pulling ahead at 20. 6% versus -58. 2% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 69. 0% year-over-year, compared to -2. 0% for Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
05Which has better profit margins — ACRS or DAWN?
Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
(DAWN) is the more profitable company, earning -67. 8% net margin versus -829. 6% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps -67. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DAWN leads at -80. 8% versus -975. 9% for ACRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DAWN leads at 89. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Which pays a better dividend — ACRS or DAWN?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
07Is ACRS or DAWN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
(ACRS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 30)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ACRS: -76. 3%, DAWN: -8. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
08What are the main differences between ACRS and DAWN?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: ACRS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; DAWN is a small-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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