Biotechnology
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AGIO vs RARE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
AGIO vs RARE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $1.64B | $2.57B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $66M | $669M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-423M | $-609M |
| Gross Margin | 82.1% | 83.6% |
| Operating Margin | -7.2% | -83.9% |
| Total Debt | $62M | $1.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $89M | $434M |
AGIO vs RARE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agios Pharmaceutica… (AGIO) | 100 | 53.2 | -46.8% |
| Ultragenyx Pharmace… (RARE) | 100 | 38.2 | -61.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AGIO vs RARE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
AGIO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.12
- Rev growth 48.0%, EPS growth -161.2%, 3Y rev CAGR 56.0%
- -42.2% 10Y total return vs RARE's -59.4%
RARE is the clearest fit if your priority is quality.
- -91.0% margin vs AGIO's -6.4%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 48.0% revenue growth vs RARE's 20.1% | |
| Quality / Margins | -91.0% margin vs AGIO's -6.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.12 vs RARE's 1.42 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -2.4% vs RARE's -21.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -31.7% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC -26.3% vs -89.4% |
AGIO vs RARE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
AGIO vs RARE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RARE leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RARE is the larger business by revenue, generating $669M annually — 10.1x AGIO's $66M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -91.0% (RARE) to -6.4% (AGIO). On growth, AGIO holds the edge at +137.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $66M | $669M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$470M | -$536M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$423M | -$609M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$385M | -$487M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +82.1% | +83.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -7.2% | -83.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -6.4% | -91.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | -72.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +137.7% | -2.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.0% | -17.2% |
Valuation Metrics
RARE leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.6B | $2.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.6B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -3.87x | -4.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 30.30x | 3.82x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.34x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
AGIO leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AGIO delivers a -34.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-34 in annual profit, vs $-6 for RARE. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), RARE scores 4/9 vs AGIO's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -34.1% | -6.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -31.7% | -45.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -26.3% | -89.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -33.8% | -46.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.05x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$27M | $842M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $89M | $434M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $62M | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -14.49x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AGIO leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AGIO five years ago would be worth $4,935 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,281 for RARE. Over the past 12 months, AGIO leads with a -2.4% total return vs RARE's -21.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AGIO at 2.7% vs RARE's -17.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +1.3% | +10.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -2.4% | -21.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +8.3% | -44.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -50.7% | -77.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -42.2% | -59.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +2.7% | -17.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — AGIO and RARE each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AGIO is the less volatile stock with a 1.12 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RARE's 1.42 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 | 1.12x | 1.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $46.00 | $42.37 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $22.24 | $18.29 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.8% | +61.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.9 | 66.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.0M | 1.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates AGIO as "Buy" and RARE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 97.1% upside for RARE (target: $52) vs 37.1% for AGIO (target: $38).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $37.75 | $51.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 29 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
RARE leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). AGIO leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
AGIO vs RARE: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AGIO or RARE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(AGIO) is the stronger pick with 48. 0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 20. 1% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). Analysts rate Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (AGIO) a "Buy" — based on 29 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 — AGIO or RARE?
Over the past 5 years, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(AGIO) delivered a total return of -50. 7%, compared to -77. 2% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AGIO returned -42. 2% versus RARE's -59. 4%. 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 — AGIO or RARE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(AGIO) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 12β versus Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. 's 1. 42β — meaning RARE is approximately 27% more volatile than AGIO relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — AGIO or RARE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(AGIO) is pulling ahead at 48. 0% versus 20. 1% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. grew EPS 7. 3% year-over-year, compared to -161. 2% for Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AGIO leads at 56. 0% 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 — AGIO or RARE?
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
(RARE) is the more profitable company, earning -85. 4% net margin versus -764. 0% for Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — meaning it keeps -85. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: RARE leads at -79. 5% versus -873. 9% for AGIO. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — RARE leads at 83. 8%, 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 — AGIO or RARE?
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 AGIO or RARE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(AGIO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 12)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AGIO: -42. 2%, RARE: -59. 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 AGIO and RARE?
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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