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CVAC vs MRNA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
CVAC vs MRNA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $1.05B | $19.25B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $511M | $2.23B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $194M | $-3.19B |
| Gross Margin | 94.8% | -13.9% |
| Operating Margin | 40.8% | -153.3% |
| Forward P/E | 6.5x | — |
| Total Debt | $39M | $1.92B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $482M | $2.60B |
CVAC vs MRNA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Aug 20 | Jan 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CureVac N.V. (CVAC) | 100 | 8.5 | -91.5% |
| Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) | 100 | 45.4 | -54.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVAC vs MRNA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CVAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.23
- Rev growth 9.0%, EPS growth 161.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 73.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.23, Low D/E 5.6%, current ratio 7.28x
MRNA is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 161.0% 10Y total return vs CVAC's -91.7%
- +101.7% vs CVAC's +34.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.0% revenue growth vs MRNA's -39.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | 37.9% margin vs MRNA's -143.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.23 vs MRNA's 1.82, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +101.7% vs CVAC's +34.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 28.1% ROA vs MRNA's -26.6%, ROIC 65.0% vs -26.1% |
CVAC vs MRNA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CVAC vs MRNA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVAC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MRNA is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.2B annually — 4.4x CVAC's $511M. CVAC is the more profitable business, keeping 37.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to MRNA's -143.6%. On growth, MRNA holds the edge at +2.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $511M | $2.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $226M | -$3.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $194M | -$3.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $196M | -$1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +94.8% | -13.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +40.8% | -153.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +37.9% | -143.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +38.4% | -71.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -91.4% | +2.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.8% | -34.9% |
Valuation Metrics
CVAC leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.0B | $19.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $607M | $18.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.47x | -6.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.09x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.96x | 9.90x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.51x | 2.18x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.58x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
CVAC leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVAC delivers a 33.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $33 in annual profit, vs $-37 for MRNA. CVAC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to MRNA's 0.22x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CVAC scores 7/9 vs MRNA's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +33.0% | -36.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +28.1% | -26.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +65.0% | -26.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.7% | -27.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.06x | 0.22x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$443M | -$679M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $482M | $2.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $39M | $1.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 547.87x | -1803.00x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MRNA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MRNA five years ago would be worth $2,975 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $464 for CVAC. Over the past 12 months, MRNA leads with a +101.7% total return vs CVAC's +34.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CVAC at -18.0% vs MRNA's -28.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.2% | +57.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +34.3% | +101.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -44.9% | -63.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.4% | -70.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -91.7% | +161.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -18.0% | -28.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — CVAC and MRNA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CVAC is the less volatile stock with a 1.23 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MRNA's 1.82 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 | 1.23x | 1.82x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $5.72 | $59.55 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.32 | $22.28 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.5% | +81.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.8 | 47.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 0 | 6.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CVAC as "Hold" and MRNA as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 350.6% upside for CVAC (target: $21) vs -25.8% for MRNA (target: $36).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $21.00 | $36.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 27 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
CVAC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). MRNA leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
CVAC vs MRNA: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVAC or MRNA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the stronger pick with 895. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -39. 2% for Moderna, Inc. (MRNA). CureVac N. V. (CVAC) offers the better valuation at 6. 5x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CureVac N. V. (CVAC) a "Hold" — based on 8 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 — CVAC or MRNA?
Over the past 5 years, Moderna, Inc.
(MRNA) delivered a total return of -70. 2%, compared to -95. 4% for CureVac N. V. (CVAC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MRNA returned +161. 0% versus CVAC's -91. 7%. 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 — CVAC or MRNA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 23β versus Moderna, Inc. 's 1. 82β — meaning MRNA is approximately 47% more volatile than CVAC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CureVac N. V. (CVAC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 22% for Moderna, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — CVAC or MRNA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is pulling ahead at 895. 5% versus -39. 2% for Moderna, Inc. (MRNA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CureVac N. V. grew EPS 161. 0% year-over-year, compared to 21. 7% for Moderna, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CVAC leads at 73. 2% annualised revenue growth. 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 — CVAC or MRNA?
CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 3% net margin versus -145. 2% for Moderna, Inc. — meaning it keeps 30. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVAC leads at 33. 2% versus -158. 1% for MRNA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVAC leads at 80. 2%, 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 — CVAC or MRNA?
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 CVAC or MRNA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 23)). Moderna, Inc. (MRNA) carries a higher beta of 1. 82 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (CVAC: -91. 7%, MRNA: +161. 0%), 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 CVAC and MRNA?
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: CVAC is a small-cap high-growth stock; MRNA is a mid-cap quality compounder 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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