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FGEN vs PTCT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
FGEN vs PTCT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $585M | $5.52B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $-118M | $1.73B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $216M | $683M |
| Gross Margin | 47.5% | 91.0% |
| Operating Margin | -5.1% | 49.5% |
| Forward P/E | — | 8.6x |
| Total Debt | $90M | $492M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $50M | $985M |
FGEN vs PTCT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | Feb 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| FibroGen, Inc. (FGEN) | 100 | 0.9 | -99.1% |
| PTC Therapeutics, I… (PTCT) | 100 | 148.9 | +48.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: FGEN vs PTCT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
FGEN is the clearest fit if your priority is dividends and efficiency.
- 0.3% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend
- 157.4% ROA vs PTCT's 25.2%
PTCT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.13
- Rev growth 114.5%, EPS growth 264.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 35.3%
- 8.4% 10Y total return vs FGEN's -98.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 114.5% revenue growth vs FGEN's -36.7% | |
| Quality / Margins | 39.4% margin vs FGEN's -160.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.13 vs FGEN's 1.58 | |
| Dividends | 0.3% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +84.1% vs FGEN's +3.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 157.4% ROA vs PTCT's 25.2% |
FGEN vs PTCT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FGEN vs PTCT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PTCT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PTCT and FGEN operate at a comparable scale, with $1.7B and -$118M in trailing revenue. PTCT is the more profitable business, keeping 39.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FGEN's -160.6%. On growth, PTCT holds the edge at -22.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | -$118M | $1.7B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$123M | $895M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $216M | $683M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$17M | $699M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +47.5% | +91.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -5.1% | +49.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -160.6% | +39.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -4.7% | +40.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -97.7% | -22.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +12.7% | -96.5% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — FGEN and PTCT each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $585M | $5.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $625M | $5.0B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -15.63x | 8.56x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 5.62x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 19.75x | 3.19x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 7.86x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PTCT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PTCT scores 7/9 vs FGEN's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.3% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +157.4% | +25.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | — |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -104.8% | +55.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $40M | -$492M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $50M | $985M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $90M | $492M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -20.28x | 5.58x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PTCT leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PTCT five years ago would be worth $16,516 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $145 for FGEN. Over the past 12 months, PTCT leads with a +84.1% total return vs FGEN's +3.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PTCT at 6.2% vs FGEN's -74.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -18.1% | -13.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +3.0% | +84.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.3% | +19.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.5% | +65.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -98.1% | +839.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -74.3% | +6.2% |
Risk & Volatility
PTCT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PTCT is the less volatile stock with a 1.13 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than FGEN's 1.58 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PTCT currently trades 76.1% from its 52-week high vs FGEN's 59.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.58x | 1.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $12.60 | $87.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.85 | $35.95 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.5% | +76.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.4 | 39.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 10K | 1.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates FGEN as "Hold" and PTCT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 273.3% upside for FGEN (target: $28) vs 34.6% for PTCT (target: $90). FGEN is the only dividend payer here at 0.30% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $28.00 | $89.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +0.3% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $0.02 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
PTCT leads in 4 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 1 category is tied.
FGEN vs PTCT: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is FGEN or PTCT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the stronger pick with 114. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -36. 7% for FibroGen, Inc. (FGEN). PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTCT) offers the better valuation at 8. 6x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTCT) a "Buy" — based on 26 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 — FGEN or PTCT?
Over the past 5 years, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) delivered a total return of +65. 2%, compared to -98. 5% for FibroGen, Inc. (FGEN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PTCT returned +839. 5% versus FGEN's -98. 1%. 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 — FGEN or PTCT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 13β versus FibroGen, Inc. 's 1. 58β — meaning FGEN is approximately 40% more volatile than PTCT relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — FGEN or PTCT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is pulling ahead at 114. 5% versus -36. 7% for FibroGen, Inc. (FGEN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PTC Therapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 264. 5% year-over-year, compared to 83. 6% for FibroGen, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PTCT leads at 35. 3% 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 — FGEN or PTCT?
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the more profitable company, earning 39. 4% net margin versus -160. 6% for FibroGen, Inc. — meaning it keeps 39. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PTCT leads at 49. 5% versus -507. 8% for FGEN. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PTCT leads at 95. 9%, 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 — FGEN or PTCT?
In this comparison, FGEN (0.
3% yield) pays a dividend. PTCT does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
07Is FGEN or PTCT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 13), +839. 5% 10Y return). FibroGen, Inc. (FGEN) carries a higher beta of 1. 58 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PTCT: +839. 5%, FGEN: -98. 1%), 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 FGEN and PTCT?
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: FGEN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PTCT 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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