EBS
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$472M
5Y Perf.-89.1%
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Stock Comparison
EBS vs PCRX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PCRX
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$930M
5Y Perf.-46.2%
EBS vs PCRX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | EBS | PCRX |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic |
| Market Cap | $472M | $930M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $743M | $735M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $53M | $9M |
| Gross Margin | 47.1% | 60.2% |
| Operating Margin | 14.7% | 3.4% |
| Forward P/E | 17.6x | 8.6x |
| Total Debt | $572M | $454M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $205M | $159M |
EBS vs PCRX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
EBS
PCRX
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergent BioSolutio… (EBS) | 100 | 10.9 | -89.1% |
| Pacira BioSciences,… (PCRX) | 100 | 53.8 | -46.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: EBS vs PCRX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: EBS and PCRX are tied at the top with 3 categories each — the right choice depends on your priorities. Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
EBS
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
The Quality Compounder
EBS has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in quality and momentum.
- 7.1% margin vs PCRX's 1.3%
- +92.7% vs PCRX's -6.1%
- 3.7% ROA vs PCRX's 0.7%, ROIC 8.5% vs 2.3%
Best for: quality and momentum
PCRX
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
The Income Pick
PCRX is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.47
- Rev growth 3.6%, EPS growth 107.4%, 3Y rev CAGR 2.9%
- -51.2% 10Y total return vs EBS's -76.6%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | PCRX | 3.6% revenue growth vs EBS's -28.8% |
| Value | PCRX | Lower P/E (8.6x vs 17.6x) |
| Quality / Margins | EBS | 7.1% margin vs PCRX's 1.3% |
| Stability / Safety | PCRX | Beta 0.47 vs EBS's 1.83, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | EBS | +92.7% vs PCRX's -6.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | EBS | 3.7% ROA vs PCRX's 0.7%, ROIC 8.5% vs 2.3% |
EBS vs PCRX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
EBS vs PCRX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPCRXLAGGINGEBS
EBSEmergent BioSolutions…
1leads
PCRXPacira BioSciences, I…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs EBSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
EBS5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
PCRX5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
PCRX2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — EBS and PCRX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
EBS and PCRX operate at a comparable scale, with $743M and $735M in trailing revenue. EBS is the more profitable business, keeping 7.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PCRX's 1.3%. On growth, PCRX holds the edge at +5.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $743M | $735M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $207M | $95M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $53M | $9M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $157M | $133M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +47.1% | +60.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +14.7% | +3.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +7.1% | +1.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +21.1% | +18.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -23.6% | +5.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -76.3% | -30.0% |
Evenly matched — EBS and PCRX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
EBS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 9.8x trailing earnings, EBS trades at a 93% valuation discount to PCRX's 147.8x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, EBS's 4.0x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PCRX's 9.9x.
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $472M | $930M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $838M | $1.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 9.82x | 147.75x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.57x | 8.61x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 4.02x | 9.86x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.64x | 1.28x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.99x | 1.54x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 3.01x | 6.80x |
EBS leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PCRX leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
EBS delivers a 9.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $10 in annual profit, vs $1 for PCRX. PCRX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.66x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to EBS's 1.09x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PCRX scores 9/9 vs EBS's 7/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +9.6% | +1.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +3.7% | +0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +8.5% | +2.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +9.1% | +2.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.09x | 0.66x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $367M | $296M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $205M | $159M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $572M | $454M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.84x | 2.37x |
PCRX leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — EBS and PCRX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PCRX five years ago would be worth $3,738 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,482 for EBS. Over the past 12 months, EBS leads with a +92.7% total return vs PCRX's -6.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors EBS at 0.1% vs PCRX's -17.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -27.0% | -3.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +92.7% | -6.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +0.2% | -44.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -85.2% | -62.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -76.6% | -51.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.1% | -17.6% |
Evenly matched — EBS and PCRX each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PCRX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PCRX is the less volatile stock with a 0.47 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than EBS's 1.83 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PCRX currently trades 85.5% from its 52-week high vs EBS's 65.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.83x | 0.47x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.06 | $27.64 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.72 | $18.80 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +65.0% | +85.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 61.4 | 45.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 873K | 695K |
PCRX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates EBS as "Buy" and PCRX as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 31.4% upside for EBS (target: $12) vs 24.8% for PCRX (target: $30).
| Metric | EBSEmergent BioSolut… | PCRXPacira BioScience… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $12.00 | $29.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 15 | 36 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +5.3% | +16.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
PCRX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Risk & Volatility). EBS leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallPacira BioSciences, Inc. (PCRX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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EBS vs PCRX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is EBS or PCRX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the stronger pick with 3. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -28. 8% for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS). Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) offers the better valuation at 9. 8x trailing P/E (17. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) a "Buy" — based on 15 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 — EBS or PCRX?
On trailing P/E, Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
(EBS) is the cheapest at 9. 8x versus Pacira BioSciences, Inc. at 147. 8x. On forward P/E, Pacira BioSciences, Inc. is actually cheaper at 8. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — EBS or PCRX?
Over the past 5 years, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) delivered a total return of -62. 6%, compared to -85. 2% for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PCRX returned -51. 2% versus EBS's -76. 6%. 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 — EBS or PCRX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 47β versus Emergent BioSolutions Inc. 's 1. 83β — meaning EBS is approximately 291% more volatile than PCRX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Pacira BioSciences, Inc. (PCRX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 66% versus 109% for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — EBS or PCRX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is pulling ahead at 3. 6% versus -28. 8% for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Emergent BioSolutions Inc. grew EPS 125. 8% year-over-year, compared to 107. 4% for Pacira BioSciences, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PCRX leads at 2. 9% 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 — EBS or PCRX?
Emergent BioSolutions Inc.
(EBS) is the more profitable company, earning 7. 1% net margin versus 1. 0% for Pacira BioSciences, Inc. — meaning it keeps 7. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: EBS leads at 14. 8% versus 4. 6% for PCRX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PCRX leads at 79. 4%, 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 EBS or PCRX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) trades at 8. 6x forward P/E versus 17. 6x for Emergent BioSolutions Inc. — 9. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for EBS: 31. 4% to $12. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — EBS or PCRX?
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 EBS or PCRX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
(PCRX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 47)). Emergent BioSolutions Inc. (EBS) carries a higher beta of 1. 83 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PCRX: -51. 2%, EBS: -76. 6%), 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 EBS and PCRX?
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: EBS is a small-cap deep-value stock; PCRX is a small-cap quality compounder 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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%
(EBS: -23.6% · PCRX: 5.0%)P/E Ratio<
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