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DNA vs TWST
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
DNA vs TWST — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Diagnostics & Research |
| Market Cap | $489M | $3.71B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $170M | $409M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-313M | $-81M |
| Gross Margin | 81.5% | 52.1% |
| Operating Margin | -185.3% | -33.9% |
| Total Debt | $417M | $137M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $167M | $183M |
DNA vs TWST — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Apr 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginkgo Bioworks Hol… (DNA) | 100 | 2.5 | -97.5% |
| Twist Bioscience Co… (TWST) | 100 | 44.4 | -55.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DNA vs TWST
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
In this particular matchup, DNA is outpaced on most metrics by others in the set.
TWST carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 2.47
- Rev growth 20.3%, EPS growth 63.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 22.8%
- 325.2% 10Y total return vs DNA's -97.5%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 20.3% revenue growth vs DNA's -25.1% | |
| Quality / Margins | -19.8% margin vs DNA's -183.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 2.47 vs DNA's 3.42, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +81.8% vs DNA's +56.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -12.5% ROA vs DNA's -27.9%, ROIC -26.9% vs -34.3% |
DNA vs TWST — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
DNA vs TWST — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TWST leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TWST is the larger business by revenue, generating $409M annually — 2.4x DNA's $170M. TWST is the more profitable business, keeping -19.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to DNA's -183.8%. On growth, TWST holds the edge at +19.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $170M | $409M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$223M | -$115M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$313M | -$81M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$194M | -$95M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +81.5% | +52.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -185.3% | -33.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -183.8% | -19.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -114.0% | -23.2% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -23.8% | +19.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +30.9% | -7.6% |
Valuation Metrics
DNA leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $489M | $3.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $739M | $3.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -1.79x | -45.79x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.87x | 9.84x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.10x | 7.53x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
TWST leads this category, winning 8 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TWST delivers a -17.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-17 in annual profit, vs $-61 for DNA. TWST carries lower financial leverage with a 0.29x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DNA's 0.82x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TWST scores 4/9 vs DNA's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -61.5% | -17.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -27.9% | -12.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -34.3% | -26.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -27.5% | -24.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.82x | 0.29x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $250M | -$46M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $167M | $183M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $417M | $137M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TWST leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TWST five years ago would be worth $5,708 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $251 for DNA. Over the past 12 months, TWST leads with a +81.8% total return vs DNA's +56.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TWST at 64.4% vs DNA's -43.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +15.9% | +83.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +56.3% | +81.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -81.6% | +344.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -97.5% | -42.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -97.5% | +325.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -43.1% | +64.4% |
Risk & Volatility
TWST leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TWST is the less volatile stock with a 2.47 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DNA's 3.42 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TWST currently trades 90.2% from its 52-week high vs DNA's 57.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 3.42x | 2.47x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.58 | $66.00 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.37 | $23.30 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +57.3% | +90.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 68.1 | 52.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 1.2M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DNA as "Buy" and TWST as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply -16.8% upside for TWST (target: $50) vs -22.2% for DNA (target: $8).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $7.84 | $49.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 11 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.0% |
TWST leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). DNA leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
DNA vs TWST: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DNA or TWST a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is the stronger pick with 20.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -25. 1% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). Analysts rate Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — DNA or TWST?
Over the past 5 years, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) delivered a total return of -42.
9%, compared to -97. 5% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TWST returned +325. 2% versus DNA's -97. 5%. 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 — DNA or TWST?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is the lower-risk stock at 2.
47β versus Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. 's 3. 42β — meaning DNA is approximately 38% more volatile than TWST relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 82% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — DNA or TWST?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is pulling ahead at 20.
3% versus -25. 1% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Twist Bioscience Corporation grew EPS 63. 9% year-over-year, compared to 46. 5% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TWST leads at 22. 8% 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 — DNA or TWST?
Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is the more profitable company, earning -20.
6% net margin versus -183. 8% for Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. — meaning it keeps -20. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TWST leads at -36. 2% versus -185. 3% for DNA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DNA leads at 81. 5%, 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 — DNA or TWST?
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 DNA or TWST better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+325.
2% 10Y return). Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (DNA) carries a higher beta of 3. 42 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TWST: +325. 2%, DNA: -97. 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.
08What are the main differences between DNA and TWST?
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: DNA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; TWST is a small-cap high-growth 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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