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CVAC vs JNJ
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Drug Manufacturers - General
CVAC vs JNJ — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| Market Cap | $1.05B | $541.31B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $511M | $92.15B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $194M | $25.12B |
| Gross Margin | 94.8% | 68.1% |
| Operating Margin | 40.8% | 26.1% |
| Forward P/E | 6.5x | 19.4x |
| Total Debt | $39M | $36.63B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $482M | $24.11B |
CVAC vs JNJ — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Aug 20 | Jan 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| CureVac N.V. (CVAC) | 100 | 8.5 | -91.5% |
| Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | 100 | 134.9 | +34.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: CVAC vs JNJ
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
CVAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 9.0%, EPS growth 161.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 73.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.23, Low D/E 5.6%, current ratio 7.28x
- 9.0% revenue growth vs JNJ's 4.3%
JNJ is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 36 yrs, beta 0.06, yield 2.2%
- 136.2% 10Y total return vs CVAC's -91.7%
- Beta 0.06, yield 2.2%, current ratio 1.11x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 9.0% revenue growth vs JNJ's 4.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (6.5x vs 19.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 37.9% margin vs JNJ's 27.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.06 vs CVAC's 1.23 | |
| Dividends | 2.2% yield; 36-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +48.8% vs CVAC's +38.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 28.1% ROA vs JNJ's 13.0%, ROIC 65.0% vs 20.7% |
CVAC vs JNJ — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
CVAC vs JNJ — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
CVAC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
JNJ is the larger business by revenue, generating $92.1B annually — 180.5x CVAC's $511M. CVAC is the more profitable business, keeping 37.9% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to JNJ's 27.3%. On growth, JNJ holds the edge at +6.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $511M | $92.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $226M | $31.4B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $194M | $25.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $196M | $19.1B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +94.8% | +68.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +40.8% | +26.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +37.9% | +27.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +38.4% | +20.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -91.4% | +6.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.8% | +91.0% |
Valuation Metrics
CVAC leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 6.5x trailing earnings, CVAC trades at a 83% valuation discount to JNJ's 38.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, CVAC's 3.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than JNJ's 18.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.0B | $541.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $607M | $553.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 6.47x | 38.79x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 19.39x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 34.49x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 3.09x | 18.78x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.96x | 6.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.51x | 7.63x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 12.58x | 27.28x |
Profitability & Efficiency
CVAC leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
CVAC delivers a 33.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $33 in annual profit, vs $32 for JNJ. CVAC carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to JNJ's 0.51x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), CVAC scores 7/9 vs JNJ's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +33.0% | +31.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +28.1% | +13.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +65.0% | +20.7% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +26.7% | +17.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.06x | 0.51x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$443M | $12.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $482M | $24.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $39M | $36.6B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 547.87x | 48.23x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
JNJ leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in JNJ five years ago would be worth $14,803 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $496 for CVAC. Over the past 12 months, JNJ leads with a +48.8% total return vs CVAC's +38.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors JNJ at 13.9% vs CVAC's -18.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.2% | +9.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +38.7% | +48.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -44.9% | +47.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.0% | +48.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -91.7% | +136.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -18.0% | +13.9% |
Risk & Volatility
JNJ leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
JNJ is the less volatile stock with a 0.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than CVAC's 1.23 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. JNJ currently trades 89.2% from its 52-week high vs CVAC's 81.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.23x | 0.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $5.72 | $251.71 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.26 | $146.12 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.5% | +89.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 47.8 | 38.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 0 | 7.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates CVAC as "Hold" and JNJ as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 350.6% upside for CVAC (target: $21) vs 11.0% for JNJ (target: $249). JNJ is the only dividend payer here at 2.17% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $21.00 | $249.27 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 40 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +2.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 36 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $4.87 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% |
CVAC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). JNJ leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility).
CVAC vs JNJ: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is CVAC or JNJ a better buy right now?
For growth investors, CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the stronger pick with 895. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 4. 3% for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). CureVac N. V. (CVAC) offers the better valuation at 6. 5x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) a "Buy" — based on 40 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 — CVAC or JNJ?
On trailing P/E, CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the cheapest at 6. 5x versus Johnson & Johnson at 38. 8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — CVAC or JNJ?
Over the past 5 years, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) delivered a total return of +48.
0%, compared to -95. 0% for CureVac N. V. (CVAC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: JNJ returned +136. 2% versus CVAC's -91. 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 — CVAC or JNJ?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
06β versus CureVac N. V. 's 1. 23β — meaning CVAC is approximately 2064% more volatile than JNJ relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, CureVac N. V. (CVAC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 51% for Johnson & Johnson — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — CVAC or JNJ?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is pulling ahead at 895. 5% versus 4. 3% for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CureVac N. V. grew EPS 161. 0% year-over-year, compared to -57. 8% for Johnson & Johnson. Over a 3-year CAGR, CVAC leads at 73. 2% 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 — CVAC or JNJ?
CureVac N.
V. (CVAC) is the more profitable company, earning 30. 3% net margin versus 15. 8% for Johnson & Johnson — meaning it keeps 30. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: CVAC leads at 33. 2% versus 24. 9% for JNJ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — CVAC leads at 80. 2%, 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 CVAC or JNJ more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CVAC: 350.
6% to $21. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — CVAC or JNJ?
In this comparison, JNJ (2.
2% yield) pays a dividend. CVAC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is CVAC or JNJ better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
06), 2. 2% yield, +136. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JNJ: +136. 2%, CVAC: -91. 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.
10What are the main differences between CVAC and JNJ?
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: CVAC is a small-cap high-growth stock; JNJ is a large-cap quality compounder stock. JNJ pays a dividend while CVAC does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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