Biotechnology
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CPRX vs PTCT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
CPRX vs PTCT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $3.82B | $5.35B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $589M | $827M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $214M | $-187M |
| Gross Margin | 85.2% | 49.7% |
| Operating Margin | 43.8% | -8.3% |
| Forward P/E | 16.6x | 8.3x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $492M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $709M | $985M |
CPRX vs PTCT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst Pharmaceut… (CPRX) | 100 | 723.1 | +623.1% |
| PTC Therapeutics, I… (PTCT) | 100 | 127.2 | +27.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CPRX vs PTCT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CPRX has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 0.88
- 48.0% 10Y total return vs PTCT's 7.3%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.88, Low D/E 0.2%, current ratio 6.08x
PTCT is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 114.5%, EPS growth 264.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 35.3%
- 114.5% revenue growth vs CPRX's 19.8%
- Lower P/E (8.3x vs 16.6x)
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 114.5% revenue growth vs CPRX's 19.8% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (8.3x vs 16.6x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 36.4% margin vs PTCT's -22.6% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.88 vs PTCT's 1.13 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +58.2% vs CPRX's +32.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 19.4% ROA vs PTCT's -6.8% |
CPRX vs PTCT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CPRX 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)
CPRX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PTCT and CPRX operate at a comparable scale, with $827M and $589M in trailing revenue. CPRX is the more profitable business, keeping 36.4% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PTCT's -22.6%. On growth, CPRX holds the edge at +7.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $589M | $827M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $295M | -$37M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $214M | -$187M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $209M | -$229M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +85.2% | +49.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +43.8% | -8.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +36.4% | -22.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +35.4% | -27.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.6% | -76.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -9.1% | -100.3% |
Valuation Metrics
PTCT leads this category, winning 4 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.3x trailing earnings, PTCT trades at a 55% valuation discount to CPRX's 18.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PTCT's 5.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than CPRX's 10.5x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.8B | $5.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.1B | $4.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 18.55x | 8.29x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 16.58x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.99x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 10.54x | 5.42x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.48x | 3.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.16x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.30x | 7.61x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CPRX leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PTCT scores 7/9 vs CPRX's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +22.5% | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +19.4% | -6.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +83.9% | — |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +30.6% | +55.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$707M | -$492M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $709M | $985M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $492M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -1.67x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
CPRX leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in CPRX five years ago would be worth $64,524 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,026 for PTCT. Over the past 12 months, PTCT leads with a +58.2% total return vs CPRX's +32.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors CPRX at 21.5% vs PTCT's 5.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +34.6% | -16.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +32.8% | +58.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +79.4% | +16.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +545.2% | +60.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +4800.2% | +733.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.5% | +5.1% |
Risk & Volatility
CPRX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
CPRX is the less volatile stock with a 0.88 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PTCT's 1.13 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. CPRX currently trades 95.7% from its 52-week high vs PTCT's 73.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.88x | 1.13x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $32.56 | $87.50 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $19.05 | $37.94 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +95.7% | +73.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 71.3 | 45.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.7M | 1.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CPRX as "Buy" and PTCT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 39.0% upside for PTCT (target: $90) vs 5.9% for CPRX (target: $33).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $33.00 | $89.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 16 | 26 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.7% | 0.0% |
CPRX leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PTCT leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
CPRX vs PTCT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CPRX 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 19. 8% for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX). PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTCT) offers the better valuation at 8. 3x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX) a "Buy" — based on 16 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 — CPRX or PTCT?
On trailing P/E, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the cheapest at 8. 3x versus Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 18. 6x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CPRX or PTCT?
Over the past 5 years, Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(CPRX) delivered a total return of +545. 2%, compared to +60. 3% for PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTCT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: CPRX returned +48. 0% versus PTCT's +733. 2%. 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 — CPRX or PTCT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(CPRX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 88β versus PTC Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 13β — meaning PTCT is approximately 28% more volatile than CPRX relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — CPRX or PTCT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is pulling ahead at 114. 5% versus 19. 8% for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (CPRX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PTC Therapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 264. 5% year-over-year, compared to 28. 2% for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CPRX leads at 40. 1% 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.
06Which has better profit margins — CPRX or PTCT?
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the more profitable company, earning 39. 4% net margin versus 36. 4% for Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, 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 43. 8% for CPRX. 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.
07Is CPRX or PTCT more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PTCT: 39.
0% to $89. 67.
08Which pays a better dividend — CPRX or PTCT?
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.
09Is CPRX 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), +733. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PTCT: +733. 2%, CPRX: +48. 0%), 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.
10What are the main differences between CPRX 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.
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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