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KALA vs NVCR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Instruments & Supplies
KALA vs NVCR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Instruments & Supplies |
| Market Cap | $618K | $1.92B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $254K | $674M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-36M | $-173M |
| Gross Margin | -3.1% | 75.2% |
| Operating Margin | -150.6% | -27.2% |
| Total Debt | $32M | $290M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $51M | $103M |
KALA vs NVCR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| KALA BIO, Inc. (KALA) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
| NovoCure Limited (NVCR) | 100 | 25.0 | -75.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: KALA vs NVCR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
KALA is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 2.09
- Rev growth 262.9%, EPS growth 59.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.09, current ratio 3.11x
NVCR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding.
- 30.3% 10Y total return vs KALA's -100.0%
- -25.7% margin vs KALA's -141.1%
- +1.1% vs KALA's -97.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 262.9% revenue growth vs NVCR's 8.3% | |
| Quality / Margins | -25.7% margin vs KALA's -141.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 2.09 vs NVCR's 2.20 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +1.1% vs KALA's -97.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -16.5% ROA vs KALA's -143.2% |
KALA vs NVCR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVCR leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVCR is the larger business by revenue, generating $674M annually — 2655.2x KALA's $254,000. NVCR is the more profitable business, keeping -25.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to KALA's -141.1%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $254,000 | $674M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$38M | -$165M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$36M | -$173M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$32M | -$48M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -3.1% | +75.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -150.6% | -27.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -141.1% | -25.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -126.3% | -7.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +12.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +44.6% | -100.0% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — KALA and NVCR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $617,676 | $1.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$18M | $2.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.01x | -13.80x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 2.92x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.04x | 5.51x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
NVCR leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NVCR delivers a -50.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-51 in annual profit, vs $-4 for KALA. NVCR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.85x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KALA's 2.62x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), NVCR scores 5/9 vs KALA's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -3.9% | -50.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -143.2% | -16.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -16.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -95.2% | -28.9% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.62x | 0.85x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$19M | $187M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $51M | $103M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $32M | $290M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -6.92x | -96.80x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NVCR leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NVCR five years ago would be worth $875 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3 for KALA. Over the past 12 months, NVCR leads with a +1.1% total return vs KALA's -97.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NVCR at -37.6% vs KALA's -82.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -86.6% | +28.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -97.6% | +1.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.5% | -75.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | -91.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +30.3% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -82.6% | -37.6% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — KALA and NVCR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KALA is the less volatile stock with a 2.09 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NVCR's 2.20 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NVCR currently trades 83.9% from its 52-week high vs KALA's 0.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.09x | 2.20x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.60 | $20.06 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.08 | $9.82 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +0.4% | +83.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 30.1 | 69.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 9.2M | 1.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates KALA as "Buy" and NVCR as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 21861.5% upside for KALA (target: $18) vs 99.0% for NVCR (target: $34).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $18.25 | $33.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 9 | 15 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
NVCR leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 2 categories are tied.
KALA vs NVCR: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is KALA or NVCR a better buy right now?
Analysts rate KALA BIO, Inc.
(KALA) a "Buy" — based on 9 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 — KALA or NVCR?
Over the past 5 years, NovoCure Limited (NVCR) delivered a total return of -91.
3%, compared to -100. 0% for KALA BIO, Inc. (KALA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVCR returned +30. 3% versus KALA's -100. 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 — KALA or NVCR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), KALA BIO, Inc.
(KALA) is the lower-risk stock at 2. 09β versus NovoCure Limited's 2. 20β — meaning NVCR is approximately 5% more volatile than KALA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NovoCure Limited (NVCR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 85% versus 3% for KALA BIO, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — KALA or NVCR?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: KALA BIO, Inc.
grew EPS 59. 8% year-over-year, compared to 21. 8% for NovoCure Limited. 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 — KALA or NVCR?
NovoCure Limited (NVCR) is the more profitable company, earning -20.
8% net margin versus -141. 1% for KALA BIO, Inc. — meaning it keeps -20. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVCR leads at -23. 5% versus -150. 6% for KALA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVCR leads at 74. 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 — KALA or NVCR?
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 KALA or NVCR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NovoCure Limited (NVCR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding.
KALA BIO, Inc. (KALA) carries a higher beta of 2. 09 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVCR: +30. 3%, KALA: -100. 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 KALA and NVCR?
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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