DSGN
Design Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$881M
5Y Perf.-52.8%
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Stock Comparison
DSGN vs FULC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
FULC
Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$372M
5Y Perf.-41.6%
DSGN vs FULC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | DSGN | FULC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $881M | $372M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-70M | $-76M |
| Total Debt | $645K | $6M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $17M | $198M |
DSGN vs FULC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
DSGN
FULC
| Stock | Mar 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Therapeutics… (DSGN) | 100 | 47.2 | -52.8% |
| Fulcrum Therapeutic… (FULC) | 100 | 58.4 | -41.6% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DSGN vs FULC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: DSGN and FULC are tied at the top with 2 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for capital preservation and lower volatility and operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
DSGN
Design Therapeutics, Inc.
The Growth Play
DSGN has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure.
- EPS growth -38.6%
- -24.6% revenue growth vs FULC's -100.0%
- +323.4% vs FULC's +35.7%
Best for: growth exposure
FULC
Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
The Income Pick
FULC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 1.40
- -49.0% 10Y total return vs DSGN's -66.0%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.40, Low D/E 1.8%, current ratio 27.40x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | DSGN | -24.6% revenue growth vs FULC's -100.0% |
| Stability / Safety | FULC | Beta 1.40 vs DSGN's 1.51 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | DSGN | +323.4% vs FULC's +35.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FULC | -26.3% ROA vs DSGN's -31.3%, ROIC -36.2% vs -28.5% |
DSGN vs FULC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLFULCLAGGINGDSGN
DSGNDesign Therapeutics, …
0leads
FULCFulcrum Therapeutics,…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs DSGNMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
FULC1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FULC5/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
FULC4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FULC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
DSGN and FULC operate at a comparable scale, with $0 and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$78M | -$86M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$70M | -$76M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$54M | -$64M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +6.5% | +10.7% |
FULC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — DSGN and FULC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $881M | $372M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $864M | $181M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -11.56x | -5.83x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.80x | 1.25x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — DSGN and FULC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FULC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FULC delivers a -27.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-28 in annual profit, vs $-33 for DSGN. DSGN carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FULC's 0.02x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FULC scores 3/9 vs DSGN's 2/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -33.1% | -27.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -31.3% | -26.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -28.5% | -36.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -34.8% | -28.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 3 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.02x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$16M | -$191M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $17M | $198M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $645,000 | $6M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
FULC leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
FULC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in FULC five years ago would be worth $6,565 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,027 for DSGN. Over the past 12 months, DSGN leads with a +323.4% total return vs FULC's +35.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors FULC at 30.7% vs DSGN's 22.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +54.9% | -37.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +323.4% | +35.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +85.5% | +123.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -49.7% | -34.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -66.0% | -49.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +22.9% | +30.7% |
FULC leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — DSGN and FULC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FULC is the less volatile stock with a 1.40 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DSGN's 1.51 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. DSGN currently trades 81.7% from its 52-week high vs FULC's 43.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.51x | 1.40x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.25 | $15.74 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.11 | $4.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +81.7% | +43.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 62.3 | 42.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 377K | 990K |
Evenly matched — DSGN and FULC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates DSGN as "Buy" and FULC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 200.4% upside for FULC (target: $21) vs 18.8% for DSGN (target: $17).
| Metric | DSGNDesign Therapeuti… | FULCFulcrum Therapeut… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $16.75 | $20.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 16 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
FULC leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 2 categories are tied.
Best OverallFulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. (FULC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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DSGN vs FULC: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DSGN or FULC a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Design Therapeutics, Inc.
(DSGN) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 — DSGN or FULC?
Over the past 5 years, Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
(FULC) delivered a total return of -34. 4%, compared to -49. 7% for Design Therapeutics, Inc. (DSGN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: FULC returned -49. 0% versus DSGN's -66. 0%. 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 — DSGN or FULC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
(FULC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 40β versus Design Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 51β — meaning DSGN is approximately 8% more volatile than FULC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Design Therapeutics, Inc. (DSGN) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 2% for Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — DSGN or FULC?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Design Therapeutics, Inc.
grew EPS -38. 6% year-over-year, compared to -637. 5% for Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.. 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 — DSGN or FULC?
Design Therapeutics, Inc.
(DSGN) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus 0. 0% for Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: DSGN leads at 0. 0% versus 0. 0% for FULC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — DSGN leads at 0. 0%, 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 — DSGN or FULC?
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 DSGN or FULC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Fulcrum Therapeutics, Inc.
(FULC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. Design Therapeutics, Inc. (DSGN) carries a higher beta of 1. 51 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (FULC: -49. 0%, DSGN: -66. 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.
08What are the main differences between DSGN and FULC?
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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