ATHE
Alterity Therapeutics Limited
Biotechnology
Market Cap$85M
5Y Perf.-19.5%
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Stock Comparison
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AVXL
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$289M
5Y Perf.-24.1%
SAVA
Cassava Sciences, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$94M
5Y Perf.+645.8%
ACAD
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$3.86B
5Y Perf.-54.6%
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ATHE | AVXL | SAVA | ACAD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $85M | $289M | $94M | $3.86B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $9M | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1.10B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-31M | $-40M | $-106M | $376M |
| Gross Margin | 97.1% | — | — | 91.5% |
| Operating Margin | -338.9% | — | — | 7.4% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 50.9x |
| Total Debt | $155K | $0.00 | $0.00 | $52M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $33M | $103M | $129M | $178M |
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
ATHE
AVXL
SAVA
ACAD
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alterity Therapeuti… (ATHE) | 100 | 80.5 | -19.5% |
| Anavex Life Science… (AVXL) | 100 | 75.9 | -24.1% |
| Cassava Sciences, I… (SAVA) | 100 | 745.8 | +645.8% |
| ACADIA Pharmaceutic… (ACAD) | 100 | 45.4 | -54.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ACAD leads in 3 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and recent price momentum and sentiment. Alterity Therapeutics Limited is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
ATHE
Alterity Therapeutics Limited
The Income Pick
ATHE is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and growth exposure is your priority.
- beta 1.04
- Rev growth 35.3%, EPS growth 63.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.04, Low D/E 0.4%, current ratio 12.98x
- Beta 1.04, current ratio 12.98x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
AVXL
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
The Specific-Use Pick
AVXL plays a supporting role in this comparison — it may shine differently against other peers.
Best for: healthcare exposure
SAVA
Cassava Sciences, Inc.
The Secondary Option
SAVA lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: healthcare exposure
ACAD
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
ACAD carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- -22.9% 10Y total return vs SAVA's -19.5%
- 34.3% margin vs ATHE's -330.6%
- +52.4% vs AVXL's -63.2%
- 26.2% ROA vs SAVA's -75.3%, ROIC 10.0% vs -6.3%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ATHE | 35.3% revenue growth vs SAVA's -5.4% |
| Quality / Margins | ACAD | 34.3% margin vs ATHE's -330.6% |
| Stability / Safety | ATHE | Beta 1.04 vs SAVA's 2.02 |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | ACAD | +52.4% vs AVXL's -63.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ACAD | 26.2% ROA vs SAVA's -75.3%, ROIC 10.0% vs -6.3% |
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2018
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLATHELAGGINGSAVA
Who Leads Where
ACAD leads in 1 of 6 categories
ATHE leads 1 • AVXL leads 0 • SAVA leads 0 • 3 tied
Explore the data ↓SAVACassava Sciences, Inc.
0leads
AVXLAnavex Life Sciences …
0leads
ACADACADIA Pharmaceutical…
1leads
ATHEAlterity Therapeutics…
1leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs ACADvs AVXLMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ACAD5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ATHE3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — ATHE and ACAD each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACAD and SAVA operate at a comparable scale, with $1.1B and $0 in trailing revenue. ACAD is the more profitable business, keeping 34.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ATHE's -3.3%. On growth, ATHE holds the edge at +80.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $9M | $0 | $0 | $1.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$32M | -$30M | -$110M | $96M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$31M | -$40M | -$106M | $376M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$24M | -$34M | -$84M | $212M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +97.1% | — | — | +91.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -3.4% | — | — | +7.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -3.3% | — | — | +34.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.5% | — | — | +19.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +80.9% | — | — | +9.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +65.0% | +54.4% | +62.1% | -81.8% |
Evenly matched — ATHE and ACAD each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — AVXL and SAVA and ACAD each lead in 1 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $85M | $289M | $94M | $3.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $61M | $187M | -$34M | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -5.65x | -5.78x | -3.76x | 9.85x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 50.91x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | 26.91x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 21.47x | — | — | 3.61x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.62x | 2.81x | 0.63x | 3.15x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 36.74x |
Evenly matched — AVXL and SAVA and ACAD each lead in 1 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACAD delivers a 35.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $36 in annual profit, vs $-96 for SAVA. ATHE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ACAD's 0.04x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ACAD scores 6/9 vs SAVA's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -73.7% | -31.5% | -95.8% | +35.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -67.9% | -30.0% | -75.3% | +26.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -2.0% | — | -6.3% | +10.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -51.7% | -47.8% | -99.9% | +10.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | — | — | 0.04x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$33M | -$103M | -$129M | -$126M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $33M | $103M | $129M | $178M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $155,457 | $0 | $0 | $52M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — | — | — |
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ATHE leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ACAD five years ago would be worth $10,710 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,759 for AVXL. Over the past 12 months, ACAD leads with a +52.4% total return vs AVXL's -63.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ATHE at 17.1% vs AVXL's -28.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +47.8% | -15.2% | -6.5% | -13.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +18.2% | -63.2% | +25.3% | +52.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +60.5% | -62.9% | -40.8% | +4.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -64.4% | -72.4% | -67.0% | +7.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.2% | -25.7% | -19.5% | -22.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +17.1% | -28.1% | -16.0% | +1.5% |
ATHE leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — ATHE and ACAD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ATHE is the less volatile stock with a 1.04 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SAVA's 2.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ACAD currently trades 81.1% from its 52-week high vs AVXL's 22.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.04x | 1.51x | 2.02x | 1.26x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $7.00 | $13.99 | $4.98 | $27.81 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $2.66 | $2.61 | $1.51 | $14.45 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +66.7% | +22.3% | +39.3% | +81.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 58.1 | 47.0 | 46.8 | 44.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 19K | 1.4M | 712K | 1.8M |
Evenly matched — ATHE and ACAD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: AVXL as "Buy", SAVA as "Buy", ACAD as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 252.6% upside for AVXL (target: $11) vs 54.1% for ACAD (target: $35).
| Metric | ATHEAlterity Therapeu… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… | SAVACassava Sciences,… | ACADACADIA Pharmaceut… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $11.00 | — | $34.78 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 13 | 12 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
ACAD leads in 1 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency). ATHE leads in 1 (Total Returns). 3 tied.
Best OverallAlterity Therapeutics Limit… (ATHE)Leads 1 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
ATHE vs AVXL vs SAVA vs ACAD: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Alterity Therapeutics Limited (ATHE) is the stronger pick with 35.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 11. 9% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD). ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD) offers the better valuation at 9. 9x trailing P/E (50. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (AVXL) a "Buy" — based on 13 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 — ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD?
Over the past 5 years, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(ACAD) delivered a total return of +7. 1%, compared to -72. 4% for Anavex Life Sciences Corp. (AVXL). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SAVA returned -19. 5% versus ATHE's -87. 2%. 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 — ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Alterity Therapeutics Limited (ATHE) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
04β versus Cassava Sciences, Inc. 's 2. 02β — meaning SAVA is approximately 94% more volatile than ATHE relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alterity Therapeutics Limited (ATHE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 4% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Alterity Therapeutics Limited (ATHE) is pulling ahead at 35.
3% versus 11. 9% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ACAD). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Cassava Sciences, Inc. grew EPS 77. 6% year-over-year, compared to -3. 8% for Anavex Life Sciences Corp.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ACAD leads at 27. 5% 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 — ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(ACAD) is the more profitable company, earning 36. 5% net margin versus -223. 4% for Alterity Therapeutics Limited — meaning it keeps 36. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ACAD leads at 9. 8% versus -268. 0% for ATHE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ATHE leads at 97. 7%, 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 ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AVXL: 252.
6% to $11. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD?
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.
08Is ATHE or AVXL or SAVA or ACAD better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Alterity Therapeutics Limited (ATHE) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
04)). Cassava Sciences, Inc. (SAVA) carries a higher beta of 2. 02 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ATHE: -87. 2%, SAVA: -19. 5%), 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 ATHE and AVXL and SAVA and ACAD?
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: ATHE is a small-cap high-growth stock; AVXL is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SAVA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ACAD is a small-cap deep-value 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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