LENZ
LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$278M
5Y Perf.-93.3%
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Stock Comparison
LENZ vs AVXL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AVXL
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$289M
5Y Perf.-86.4%
LENZ vs AVXL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LENZ | AVXL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $278M | $289M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $19M | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-82M | $-40M |
| Gross Margin | 97.2% | — |
| Operating Margin | -477.5% | — |
| Total Debt | $350K | $0.00 |
| Cash & Equiv. | $25M | $103M |
LENZ vs AVXL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LENZ
AVXL
| Stock | Jun 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LENZ Therapeutics, … (LENZ) | 100 | 6.7 | -93.3% |
| Anavex Life Science… (AVXL) | 100 | 13.6 | -86.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LENZ vs AVXL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AVXL leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for recent price momentum and sentiment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LENZ
LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.
The Momentum Pick
LENZ is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- -61.6% vs AVXL's -63.2%
Best for: momentum
AVXL
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
The Income Pick
AVXL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 1.51
- EPS growth -3.8%
- -25.7% 10Y total return vs LENZ's -72.4%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AVXL | -34.9% revenue growth vs LENZ's -71.5% |
| Quality / Margins | AVXL | 4.5% margin vs LENZ's -430.3% |
| Stability / Safety | AVXL | Beta 1.51 vs LENZ's 1.78 |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LENZ | -61.6% vs AVXL's -63.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AVXL | -30.0% ROA vs LENZ's -35.1% |
LENZ vs AVXL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAVXLLAGGINGLENZ
LENZLENZ Therapeutics, In…
0leads
AVXLAnavex Life Sciences …
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs LENZMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
AVXL1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AVXL4/6
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
AVXL2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AVXL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LENZ and AVXL operate at a comparable scale, with $19M and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $19M | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$91M | -$30M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$82M | -$40M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$70M | -$34M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +97.2% | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -4.8% | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -4.3% | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -3.7% | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -152.2% | +54.4% |
AVXL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — LENZ and AVXL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $278M | $289M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $253M | $187M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -3.41x | -5.78x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 14.56x | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.98x | 2.81x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Evenly matched — LENZ and AVXL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AVXL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AVXL delivers a -31.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-32 in annual profit, vs $-37 for LENZ. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LENZ scores 5/9 vs AVXL's 2/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -37.5% | -31.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -35.1% | -30.0% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -30.7% | — |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -37.2% | -47.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 2 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$25M | -$103M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $25M | $103M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $350,000 | $0 |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
AVXL leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — LENZ and AVXL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AVXL five years ago would be worth $2,759 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,757 for LENZ. Over the past 12 months, LENZ leads with a -61.6% total return vs AVXL's -63.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LENZ at 16.6% vs AVXL's -28.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -39.3% | -15.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -61.6% | -63.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +58.4% | -62.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -72.4% | -72.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -72.4% | -25.7% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +16.6% | -28.1% |
Evenly matched — LENZ and AVXL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AVXL leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AVXL is the less volatile stock with a 1.51 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LENZ's 1.78 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AVXL currently trades 22.3% from its 52-week high vs LENZ's 19.3% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.78x | 1.51x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $50.40 | $13.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $8.25 | $2.61 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +19.3% | +22.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 49.5 | 47.0 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 909K | 1.4M |
AVXL 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 LENZ as "Buy" and AVXL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 431.6% upside for LENZ (target: $52) vs 252.6% for AVXL (target: $11).
| Metric | LENZLENZ Therapeutics… | AVXLAnavex Life Scien… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $51.67 | $11.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.3% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
AVXL leads in 3 of 6 categories — strongest in Income & Cash Flow and Profitability & Efficiency. 2 categories are tied.
Best OverallAnavex Life Sciences Corp. (AVXL)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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LENZ vs AVXL: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LENZ or AVXL a better buy right now?
Analysts rate LENZ Therapeutics, Inc.
(LENZ) a "Buy" — based on 5 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 — LENZ or AVXL?
Over the past 5 years, Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
(AVXL) delivered a total return of -72. 4%, compared to -72. 4% for LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. (LENZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AVXL returned -25. 7% versus LENZ's -72. 4%. 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 — LENZ or AVXL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
(AVXL) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 51β versus LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 78β — meaning LENZ is approximately 18% more volatile than AVXL relative to the S&P 500.
04Which is growing faster — LENZ or AVXL?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
grew EPS -3. 8% year-over-year, compared to -21. 8% for LENZ 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 — LENZ or AVXL?
Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
(AVXL) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -430. 3% for LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AVXL leads at 0. 0% versus -477. 5% for LENZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LENZ leads at 97. 8%, 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 — LENZ or AVXL?
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 LENZ or AVXL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Anavex Life Sciences Corp.
(AVXL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding. LENZ Therapeutics, Inc. (LENZ) carries a higher beta of 1. 78 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (AVXL: -25. 7%, LENZ: -72. 4%), 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 LENZ and AVXL?
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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