Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Alkermes plc (ALKS) vs Apple Inc. (AAPL) 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 | AAPL | 6.4% revenue growth vs ALKS's -5.2% |
| Value | AAPL | Lower P/E (31.1x vs 32.0x) |
| Quality / Margins | AAPL | 27.0% net margin vs ALKS's 16.4% |
| Stability / Safety | ALKS | Beta 0.61 vs AAPL's 1.28, lower leverage |
| Dividends | AAPL | 0.4% yield; 14-year raise streak; ALKS pays no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | AAPL | +9.7% vs ALKS's -12.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AAPL | 31.1% ROA vs ALKS's 9.7%, ROIC 64.5% 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.
Apple is a technology giant that designs and sells premium consumer electronics — most famously the iPhone — along with related software and services. It generates revenue primarily from hardware sales (roughly 80% of total) and a fast-growing services segment (around 20%) that includes the App Store, subscriptions, and licensing. Its key competitive advantage is a powerful ecosystem that locks users into its hardware, software, and services through seamless integration and high switching costs.
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
AAPL leads in 4 of 6 categories (Financial Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). ALKS leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AAPL is the larger business by revenue, generating $435.6B annually — 295.2x ALKS's $1.5B. AAPL is the more profitable business, keeping 27.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ALKS's 16.4%. On growth, AAPL holds the edge at +15.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $1.5B | $435.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $281M | $152.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $242M | $117.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $520,800 | $123.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +86.3% | +47.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +17.2% | +32.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +16.4% | +27.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +0.0% | +28.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -10.6% | +15.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -67.0% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 21.0x trailing earnings, ALKS trades at a 41% valuation discount to AAPL's 35.4x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ALKS's 15.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than AAPL's 27.5x.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $5.0B | $3.88T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $4.5B | $3.97T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 21.05x | 35.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 32.04x | 31.15x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 15.89x | 27.45x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.38x | 9.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.79x | 53.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 9571.39x | 39.33x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL delivers a 133.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $134 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 AAPL's 1.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AAPL scores 7/9 vs ALKS's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.3% | +133.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +9.7% | +31.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.9% | +64.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +14.4% | +69.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 1.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$518M | $89.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $588M | $33.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $70M | $123.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 23.55x | — |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth $21,049 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $15,677 for ALKS. Over the past 12 months, AAPL leads with a +9.7% total return vs ALKS's -12.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AAPL at 21.9% vs ALKS's 4.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +6.5% | -2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -12.3% | +9.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +12.6% | +81.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +56.8% | +110.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -6.7% | +1027.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +4.0% | +21.9% |
Risk & Volatility
ALKS is the less volatile stock with a 0.61 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AAPL's 1.28 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AAPL currently trades 91.5% 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 | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.61x | 1.28x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $36.32 | $288.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $25.17 | $169.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +82.9% | +91.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 39.0 | 57.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 40.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates ALKS as "Buy" and AAPL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 52.8% upside for ALKS (target: $46) vs 14.7% for AAPL (target: $303). AAPL is the only dividend payer here at 0.39% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ALKSAlkermes plc | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $46.00 | $303.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 28 | 109 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +2.3% |
Historical Charts
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Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | 100 | 164.6 | +64.6% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 100 | 361.46 | +261.5% |
Apple Inc. (AAPL) returned +110% over 5 years vs Alkermes plc (ALKS)'s +57%. A $10,000 investment in AAPL 5 years ago would be worth $21,049 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | $746M | $1.5B | +97.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | $215.6B | $416.2B | +93.0% |
Alkermes plc's revenue grew from $746M (2016) to $1.5B (2025) — a 7.9% CAGR. Apple Inc.'s revenue grew from $215.6B (2016) to $416.2B (2025) — a 7.6% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | -28.0% | 16.4% | +158.6% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 21.2% | 26.9% | +27.0% |
Alkermes plc's net margin went from -28% (2016) to 16% (2025). Apple Inc.'s net margin went from 21% (2016) to 27% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | 13.2 | 19.6 | +48.5% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 18.4 | 36.4 | +97.8% |
Alkermes plc has traded in a 13x–20x P/E range over 3 years; current trailing P/E is ~21x. Apple Inc. has traded in a 13x–41x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~35x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | -1.38 | 1.43 | +203.6% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 2.08 | 7.46 | +258.7% |
Alkermes plc's EPS grew from $-1.38 (2016) to $1.43 (2025). Apple Inc.'s EPS grew from $2.08 (2016) to $7.46 (2025) — a 15% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Alkermes plc generated $1M FCF in 2025 (-99% vs 2021). Apple Inc. generated $99B FCF in 2025 (+6% vs 2021).
ALKS vs AAPL: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ALKS or AAPL a better buy right now?
Alkermes plc (ALKS) offers the better valuation at 21.0x trailing P/E (32.0x 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 AAPL?
On trailing P/E, Alkermes plc (ALKS) is the cheapest at 21.0x versus Apple Inc. at 35.4x. On forward P/E, Apple Inc. is actually cheaper at 31.1x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — ALKS or AAPL?
Over the past 5 years, Apple Inc. (AAPL) delivered a total return of +110.5%, compared to +56.8% for Alkermes plc (ALKS). A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth approximately $21K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AAPL returned +1027% 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 AAPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Alkermes plc (ALKS) is the lower-risk stock at 0.61β versus Apple Inc.'s 1.28β — meaning AAPL is approximately 110% more volatile than ALKS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alkermes plc (ALKS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 167% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — ALKS or AAPL?
Apple Inc. (AAPL) is the more profitable company, earning 26.9% net margin versus 16.4% for Alkermes plc — meaning it keeps 26.9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AAPL leads at 32.0% 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 AAPL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Apple Inc. (AAPL) trades at 31.1x forward P/E versus 32.0x for Alkermes plc — 0.9x 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 AAPL?
In this comparison, AAPL (0.4% yield) pays a dividend. ALKS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is ALKS or AAPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Apple Inc. (AAPL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.28), +1027% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AAPL: +1027%, 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 AAPL?
These companies operate in different sectors (ALKS (Healthcare) and AAPL (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced. 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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