UPC
Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$2M
5Y Perf.-100.0%
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Stock Comparison
UPC vs HCWB
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
HCWB
HCW Biologics Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$14M
5Y Perf.-99.8%
UPC vs HCWB — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | UPC | HCWB |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $2M | $14M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $41M | $422K |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-12M | $-12M |
| Gross Margin | 30.3% | -21.2% |
| Operating Margin | -26.7% | -28.1% |
| Total Debt | $9M | $14M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $34M | $5M |
UPC vs HCWB — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
UPC
HCWB
| Stock | Jul 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universe Pharmaceut… (UPC) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
| HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB) | 100 | 0.2 | -99.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: UPC vs HCWB
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: UPC leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. HCW Biologics Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
UPC
Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Income Pick
UPC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.26
- Lower volatility, beta 1.26, Low D/E 16.5%, current ratio 4.07x
- Beta 1.26, current ratio 4.07x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
HCWB
HCW Biologics Inc.
The Growth Play
HCWB is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -9.7%, EPS growth -10.0%
- -99.9% 10Y total return vs UPC's -100.0%
- -9.7% revenue growth vs UPC's -22.4%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | HCWB | -9.7% revenue growth vs UPC's -22.4% |
| Quality / Margins | UPC | -30.3% margin vs HCWB's -28.6% |
| Stability / Safety | UPC | Beta 1.26 vs HCWB's 1.54 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | UPC | -36.9% vs HCWB's -94.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | UPC | -18.6% ROA vs HCWB's -47.4%, ROIC -7.8% vs -240.1% |
UPC vs HCWB — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLUPCLAGGINGHCWB
HCWBHCW Biologics Inc.
1leads
UPCUniverse Pharmaceutic…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs HCWBMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
UPC6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
UPC7/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
HCWB4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
UPC2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UPC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UPC is the larger business by revenue, generating $41M annually — 96.9x HCWB's $422,025. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -30.3% (UPC) to -28.6% (HCWB). On growth, UPC holds the edge at -14.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $41M | $422,025 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$10M | -$10M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$12M | -$12M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$15M | -$13M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +30.3% | -21.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -26.7% | -28.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -30.3% | -28.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -37.2% | -30.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -14.1% | -96.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -100.1% | -19.2% |
UPC leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — UPC and HCWB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2M | $14M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$23M | $23M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.00x | -0.46x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.09x | 5.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.00x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — UPC and HCWB each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UPC leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UPC delivers a -27.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-27 in annual profit, vs $-9 for HCWB. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), UPC scores 4/9 vs HCWB's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -27.0% | -9.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -18.6% | -47.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -7.8% | -2.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.6% | -2.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$24M | $9M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $34M | $5M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $9M | $14M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -22.11x | -11.97x |
UPC leads this category, winning 7 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
HCWB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in HCWB five years ago would be worth $14 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2 for UPC. Over the past 12 months, UPC leads with a -36.9% total return vs HCWB's -94.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors HCWB at -81.7% vs UPC's -89.5% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -32.2% | -68.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -36.9% | -94.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.9% | -99.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | -99.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | -99.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -89.5% | -81.7% |
HCWB leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
UPC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
UPC is the less volatile stock with a 1.26 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than HCWB's 1.54 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. UPC currently trades 25.7% from its 52-week high vs HCWB's 2.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.26x | 1.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $11.00 | $17.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.00 | $0.25 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +25.7% | +2.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 51.5 | 47.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 8K | 10.8M |
UPC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | UPCUniverse Pharmace… | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | — |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | — |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | — |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 2 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
UPC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). HCWB leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallUniverse Pharmaceuticals In… (UPC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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UPC vs HCWB: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is UPC or HCWB a better buy right now?
For growth investors, HCW Biologics Inc.
(HCWB) is the stronger pick with -9. 7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -22. 4% for Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc. (UPC). 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 — UPC or HCWB?
Over the past 5 years, HCW Biologics Inc.
(HCWB) delivered a total return of -99. 9%, compared to -100. 0% for Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc. (UPC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: HCWB returned -99. 9% versus UPC's -100. 0%. 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 — UPC or HCWB?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(UPC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 26β versus HCW Biologics Inc. 's 1. 54β — meaning HCWB is approximately 22% more volatile than UPC relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — UPC or HCWB?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), HCW Biologics Inc.
(HCWB) is pulling ahead at -9. 7% versus -22. 4% for Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc. (UPC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc. grew EPS 26. 5% year-over-year, compared to -10. 0% for HCW Biologics 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 — UPC or HCWB?
Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(UPC) is the more profitable company, earning -20. 6% net margin versus -1169. 7% for HCW Biologics Inc. — meaning it keeps -20. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UPC leads at -16. 3% versus -1148. 5% for HCWB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — HCWB leads at 37. 4%, 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 — UPC or HCWB?
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 UPC or HCWB better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Universe Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(UPC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 26)). HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB) carries a higher beta of 1. 54 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (UPC: -100. 0%, HCWB: -99. 9%), 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 UPC and HCWB?
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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