HCWB
HCW Biologics Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$668K
5Y Perf.-99.8%
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Stock Comparison
HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ARQT
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$2.58B
5Y Perf.-11.4%
NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1.69B
5Y Perf.-64.8%
REGN
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$73.68B
5Y Perf.+23.4%
HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | HCWB | ARQT | NKTR | REGN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $668K | $2.58B | $1.69B | $73.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $54K | $416M | $55M | $14.92B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-8M | $-2M | $-164M | $4.42B |
| Gross Margin | -300.7% | 90.9% | 99.6% | 84.5% |
| Operating Margin | -215.1% | 0.8% | -237.9% | 24.3% |
| Forward P/E | — | 77.6x | — | 15.3x |
| Total Debt | $7M | $6M | $149M | $2.71B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $2M | $43M | $15M | $3.12B |
HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
HCWB
ARQT
NKTR
REGN
| Stock | Jul 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB) | 100 | 0.2 | -99.8% |
| Arcutis Biotherapeu… (ARQT) | 100 | 88.6 | -11.4% |
| Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) | 100 | 35.2 | -64.8% |
| Regeneron Pharmaceu… (REGN) | 100 | 123.4 | +23.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: REGN leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. NKTR also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
HCWB
HCW Biologics Inc.
The Secondary Option
HCWB lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: healthcare exposure
ARQT
Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
The Growth Play
ARQT is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 91.3%, EPS growth 88.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 367.3%
- 91.3% revenue growth vs HCWB's -97.9%
Best for: growth exposure
NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics
The Momentum Pick
NKTR is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +8.2% vs HCWB's -95.4%
Best for: momentum
REGN
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Income Pick
REGN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.81, yield 0.5%
- 90.0% 10Y total return vs ARQT's -5.2%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.81, Low D/E 8.7%, current ratio 4.13x
- Beta 0.81, yield 0.5%, current ratio 4.13x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | ARQT | 91.3% revenue growth vs HCWB's -97.9% |
| Value | REGN | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | REGN | 29.6% margin vs HCWB's -146.8% |
| Stability / Safety | REGN | Beta 0.81 vs NKTR's 1.85, lower leverage |
| Dividends | REGN | 0.5% yield; 1-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | NKTR | +8.2% vs HCWB's -95.4% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | REGN | 11.1% ROA vs NKTR's -62.8%, ROIC 8.9% vs -57.2% |
HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2023
FY 2025
FY 2025
HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLREGNLAGGINGARQT
Who Leads Where
REGN leads in 4 of 6 categories
NKTR leads 1 • HCWB leads 0 • ARQT leads 0
Explore the data ↓ARQTArcutis Biotherapeuti…
0leads
HCWBHCW Biologics Inc.
0leads
NKTRNektar Therapeutics
1leads
REGNRegeneron Pharmaceuti…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NKTRvs HCWBMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
REGN3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
REGN2/4
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
REGN7/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NKTR4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
REGN2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
REGN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
REGN is the larger business by revenue, generating $14.9B annually — 275112.0x HCWB's $54,231. REGN is the more profitable business, keeping 29.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to HCWB's -146.8%. On growth, ARQT holds the edge at +60.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $54,231 | $416M | $55M | $14.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$11M | $6M | -$130M | $4.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$8M | -$2M | -$164M | $4.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$13M | $27M | -$209M | $4.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -3.0% | +90.9% | +99.6% | +84.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -215.1% | +0.8% | -2.4% | +24.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -146.8% | -0.6% | -3.0% | +29.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -246.9% | +6.5% | -3.8% | +27.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -93.2% | +60.1% | -25.3% | +19.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -21.1% | +55.0% | -4.5% | -7.2% |
REGN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
REGN leads this category, winning 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $668,096 | $2.6B | $1.7B | $73.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $6M | $2.5B | $1.8B | $73.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.03x | -158.92x | -8.57x | 17.09x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 77.64x | — | 15.35x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 2.70x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | 17.78x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 12.32x | 6.87x | 30.64x | 5.14x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.24x | 13.87x | 15.66x | 2.46x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 18.06x |
REGN leads this category, winning 2 of 4 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
REGN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
REGN delivers a 14.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $14 in annual profit, vs $-4 for NKTR. ARQT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to HCWB's 2.46x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), REGN scores 5/9 vs NKTR's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.9% | -1.4% | -4.0% | +14.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -30.3% | -0.6% | -62.8% | +11.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -171.1% | -5.2% | -57.2% | +8.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.5% | -4.3% | -55.7% | +10.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.46x | 0.03x | 1.66x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $5M | -$37M | $134M | -$412M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $2M | $43M | $15M | $3.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $7M | $6M | $149M | $2.7B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -8.05x | 2.08x | -4.74x | 108.44x |
REGN leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NKTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in REGN five years ago would be worth $14,365 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $13 for HCWB. Over the past 12 months, NKTR leads with a +818.2% total return vs HCWB's -95.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NKTR at 93.3% vs HCWB's -82.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -71.4% | -28.8% | +92.0% | -8.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -95.4% | +50.8% | +818.2% | +27.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.4% | +44.9% | +621.8% | -5.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.9% | -39.5% | -72.3% | +43.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.9% | -5.2% | -59.1% | +90.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -82.2% | +13.2% | +93.3% | -1.7% |
NKTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
REGN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
REGN is the less volatile stock with a 0.81 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NKTR's 1.85 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. REGN currently trades 86.4% from its 52-week high vs HCWB's 1.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.54x | 1.48x | 1.85x | 0.81x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.80 | $31.77 | $109.00 | $821.11 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.25 | $12.42 | $7.99 | $476.49 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +1.8% | +65.0% | +76.5% | +86.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 41.6 | 54.3 | 53.4 | 44.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 10.8M | 1.3M | 991K | 631K |
REGN leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ARQT as "Buy", NKTR as "Buy", REGN as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 71.8% upside for ARQT (target: $36) vs 22.1% for REGN (target: $866). REGN is the only dividend payer here at 0.48% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | HCWBHCW Biologics Inc. | ARQTArcutis Biotherap… | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | REGNRegeneron Pharmac… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $35.50 | $132.83 | $865.68 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 12 | 33 | 48 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | $3.41 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +5.4% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
REGN leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). NKTR leads in 1 (Total Returns).
Best OverallRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, … (REGN)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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HCWB vs ARQT vs NKTR vs REGN: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
(ARQT) is the stronger pick with 91. 3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -97. 9% for HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB). Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (REGN) offers the better valuation at 17. 1x trailing P/E (15. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARQT) a "Buy" — based on 12 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 — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
On forward P/E, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 15. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
Over the past 5 years, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(REGN) delivered a total return of +43. 6%, compared to -99. 9% for HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: REGN returned +90. 0% versus HCWB's -99. 9%. 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 — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(REGN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 81β versus Nektar Therapeutics's 1. 85β — meaning NKTR is approximately 130% more volatile than REGN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARQT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 2% for HCW Biologics Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc.
(ARQT) is pulling ahead at 91. 3% versus -97. 9% for HCW Biologics Inc. (HCWB). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 88. 8% year-over-year, compared to -1280. 5% for HCW Biologics Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ARQT leads at 367. 3% 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 — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(REGN) is the more profitable company, earning 31. 4% net margin versus -146. 8% for HCW Biologics Inc. — meaning it keeps 31. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: REGN leads at 24. 9% versus -207. 6% for HCWB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NKTR leads at 100. 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.
07Is HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(REGN) trades at 15. 3x forward P/E versus 77. 6x for Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. — 62. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for ARQT: 71. 8% to $35. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN?
In this comparison, REGN (0.
5% yield) pays a dividend. HCWB, ARQT, NKTR do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is HCWB or ARQT or NKTR or REGN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(REGN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 81)). Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) carries a higher beta of 1. 85 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (REGN: +90. 0%, NKTR: -59. 1%), 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 HCWB and ARQT and NKTR and REGN?
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: HCWB is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ARQT is a small-cap high-growth stock; NKTR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; REGN is a mid-cap deep-value 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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