Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Alkermes plc (ALKS) vs Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | REGN | 1.0% revenue growth vs ALKS's -5.2% |
| Value | REGN | Lower P/E (17.3x vs 32.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | REGN | 31.4% net margin vs ALKS's 16.4% |
| Stability / Safety | REGN | Beta 0.58 vs ALKS's 0.61 |
| Dividends | REGN | 0.4% yield; 1-year raise streak; ALKS pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | REGN | +12.4% vs ALKS's -12.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | REGN | 11.1% ROA vs ALKS's 9.7%, ROIC 12.4% vs 14.9% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Alkermes is a biopharmaceutical company that develops and commercializes medicines for central nervous system disorders and other serious conditions. It generates revenue primarily from product sales of its proprietary drugs like VIVITROL and ARISTADA — which treat addiction and schizophrenia — along with royalties from partnered products and manufacturing services. The company's competitive advantage lies in its specialized drug delivery technologies that enable long-acting injectable formulations, creating significant barriers to entry for competitors.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company that discovers, develops, and commercializes innovative medicines for serious diseases. It generates revenue primarily from sales of its flagship products — EYLEA for eye diseases (~60% of revenue) and Dupixent for inflammatory conditions (~30%) — with additional income from collaborations and royalties. The company's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary VelocImmune technology platform for creating human antibodies and its deep expertise in genetic research, which enables rapid drug discovery and development.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
REGN leads in 5 of 6 categories — strongest in Financial Metrics and Valuation Metrics. 1 category is tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
REGN is the larger business by revenue, generating $14.3B annually — 9.7x ALKS's $1.5B. REGN is the more profitable business, keeping 31.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ALKS's 16.4%. On growth, REGN holds the edge at +2.5% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.5B | $14.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $281M | $4.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $242M | $4.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $520,800 | $3.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +86.3% | +86.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +17.2% | +25.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.4% | +31.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.0% | +22.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -10.6% | +2.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -67.0% | -2.5% |
Valuation Metrics
At 18.8x trailing earnings, REGN trades at a 10% valuation discount to ALKS's 21.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ALKS's 15.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than REGN's 21.6x.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.0B | $107.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.5B | $91.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.05x | 18.84x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 32.04x | 17.25x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.89x | 21.64x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.38x | 7.50x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.79x | 2.72x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9571.39x | 26.36x |
Profitability & Efficiency
REGN delivers a 14.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $13 for ALKS. ALKS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to REGN's 0.09x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), REGN scores 7/9 vs ALKS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.3% | +14.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.7% | +11.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.9% | +12.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +14.4% | +10.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$518M | -$16.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $588M | $18.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $70M | $2.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 23.55x | 120.42x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in REGN five years ago would be worth $16,977 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,677 for ALKS. Over the past 12 months, REGN leads with a +12.4% total return vs ALKS's -12.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ALKS at 4.0% vs REGN's 1.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.5% | +0.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -12.3% | +12.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +12.6% | +3.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.8% | +69.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -6.7% | +104.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.0% | +1.1% |
Risk & Volatility
REGN is the less volatile stock with a 0.58 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ALKS's 0.61 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. REGN currently trades 95.2% from its 52-week high vs ALKS's 82.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.61x | 0.58x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $36.32 | $821.11 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $25.17 | $476.49 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +82.9% | +95.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.0 | 49.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 687K |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ALKS as "Buy" and REGN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 52.8% upside for ALKS (target: $46) vs 9.7% for REGN (target: $857). REGN is the only dividend payer here at 0.44% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $46.00 | $857.17 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 48 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $3.41 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +3.2% |
Historical Charts
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Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Feb 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | 100 | 167.75 | +67.8% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | 100 | 169.83 | +69.8% |
Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) returned +70% over 5 years vs Alkermes plc (ALKS)'s +57%. A $10,000 investment in REGN 5 years ago would be worth $16,977 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | $746M | $1.5B | +97.9% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | $4.9B | $14.3B | +195.1% |
Alkermes plc's revenue grew from $746M (2016) to $1.5B (2025) — a 7.9% CAGR. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s revenue grew from $4.9B (2016) to $14.3B (2025) — a 12.8% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | -28.0% | 16.4% | +158.6% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | 18.4% | 31.4% | +70.5% |
Alkermes plc's net margin went from -28% (2016) to 16% (2025). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s net margin went from 18% (2016) to 31% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | 13.2 | 19.6 | +48.5% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | 36.4 | 18.6 | -48.9% |
Alkermes plc has traded in a 13x–20x P/E range over 3 years; current trailing P/E is ~21x. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has traded in a 9x–36x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~19x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | -1.38 | 1.43 | +203.6% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | 7.7 | 41.48 | +438.7% |
Alkermes plc's EPS grew from $-1.38 (2016) to $1.43 (2025). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s EPS grew from $7.70 (2016) to $41.48 (2025) — a 21% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Alkermes plc generated $1M FCF in 2025 (-99% vs 2021). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. generated $4B FCF in 2025 (-38% vs 2021).
ALKS vs REGN: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ALKS or REGN a better buy right now?
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) offers the better valuation at 18.8x trailing P/E (17.3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Alkermes plc (ALKS) a "Buy" — based on 28 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 has the better valuation — ALKS or REGN?
On trailing P/E, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) is the cheapest at 18.8x versus Alkermes plc at 21.0x. On forward P/E, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is actually cheaper at 17.3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ALKS or REGN?
Over the past 5 years, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) delivered a total return of +69.8%, compared to +56.8% for Alkermes plc (ALKS). A $10,000 investment in REGN five years ago would be worth approximately $17K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: REGN returned +104.7% versus ALKS's -6.7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — ALKS or REGN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) is the lower-risk stock at 0.58β versus Alkermes plc's 0.61β — meaning ALKS is approximately 5% more volatile than REGN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alkermes plc (ALKS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 9% for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — ALKS or REGN?
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) is the more profitable company, earning 31.4% net margin versus 16.4% for Alkermes plc — meaning it keeps 31.4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: REGN leads at 25.7% versus 17.2% for ALKS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ALKS leads at 86.3%, 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.
06Is ALKS or REGN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) trades at 17.3x forward P/E versus 32.0x for Alkermes plc — 14.8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ALKS: 52.8% to $46.00.
07Which pays a better dividend — ALKS or REGN?
In this comparison, REGN (0.4% yield) pays a dividend. ALKS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is ALKS or REGN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.58), +104.7% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (REGN: +104.7%, ALKS: -6.7%), 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.
09What are the main differences between ALKS and REGN?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. 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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