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LQDA vs INSM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
LQDA vs INSM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $3.66B | $29.14B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $69M | $447M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-122M | $-1.18B |
| Gross Margin | 89.4% | 70.0% |
| Operating Margin | -155.0% | -272.1% |
| Forward P/E | 17.5x | — |
| Total Debt | $122M | $46M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $176M | $510M |
LQDA vs INSM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) | 100 | 456.1 | +356.1% |
| Insmed Incorporated (INSM) | 100 | 564.4 | +464.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LQDA vs INSM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
LQDA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for quality and momentum.
- -176.0% margin vs INSM's -264.8%
- +171.2% vs INSM's +102.0%
- -44.2% ROA vs INSM's -50.1%, ROIC -5.0% vs -141.8%
INSM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.54
- Rev growth 66.7%, EPS growth -15.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 35.2%
- 11.3% 10Y total return vs LQDA's 279.6%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 66.7% revenue growth vs LQDA's -20.0% | |
| Quality / Margins | -176.0% margin vs INSM's -264.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.54 vs LQDA's 1.24, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +171.2% vs INSM's +102.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -44.2% ROA vs INSM's -50.1%, ROIC -5.0% vs -141.8% |
LQDA vs INSM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
LQDA vs INSM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LQDA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
INSM is the larger business by revenue, generating $447M annually — 6.5x LQDA's $69M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -176.0% (LQDA) to -2.6% (INSM). On growth, LQDA holds the edge at +11.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $69M | $447M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$106M | -$1.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$122M | -$1.2B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$108M | -$906M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +89.4% | +70.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -155.0% | -2.7% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -176.0% | -2.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -155.8% | -2.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +11.2% | +52.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +86.4% | -37.8% |
Valuation Metrics
INSM leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.7B | $29.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.6B | $28.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -25.39x | -21.35x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.48x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 261.40x | 48.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 42.92x | 36.92x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
INSM leads this category, winning 7 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
INSM delivers a -125.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-125 in annual profit, vs $-6 for LQDA. INSM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LQDA's 1.58x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), INSM scores 4/9 vs LQDA's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -5.5% | -125.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -44.2% | -50.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -5.0% | -141.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -84.1% | -70.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.58x | 0.06x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$54M | -$465M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $176M | $510M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $122M | $46M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -4.63x | -12.98x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — LQDA and INSM each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LQDA five years ago would be worth $165,255 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $42,182 for INSM. Over the past 12 months, LQDA leads with a +171.2% total return vs INSM's +102.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors INSM at 93.6% vs LQDA's 77.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +34.2% | -22.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +171.2% | +102.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +454.5% | +625.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1552.5% | +321.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +279.6% | +1133.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +77.0% | +93.6% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — LQDA and INSM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
INSM is the less volatile stock with a 0.54 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LQDA's 1.24 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LQDA currently trades 90.3% from its 52-week high vs INSM's 64.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.24x | 0.54x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $46.67 | $212.75 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $11.85 | $63.81 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +90.3% | +64.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.2 | 44.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 2.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates LQDA as "Buy" and INSM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 58.4% upside for INSM (target: $217) vs 20.2% for LQDA (target: $51).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $50.67 | $217.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 35 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
INSM leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). LQDA leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
LQDA vs INSM: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LQDA or INSM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is the stronger pick with 66.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -20. 0% for Liquidia Corporation (LQDA). Analysts rate Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) a "Buy" — based on 7 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 — LQDA or INSM?
Over the past 5 years, Liquidia Corporation (LQDA) delivered a total return of +1553%, compared to +321.
8% for Insmed Incorporated (INSM). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: INSM returned +1134% versus LQDA's +279. 6%. 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 — LQDA or INSM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
54β versus Liquidia Corporation's 1. 24β — meaning LQDA is approximately 129% more volatile than INSM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Insmed Incorporated (INSM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 158% for Liquidia Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LQDA or INSM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is pulling ahead at 66.
7% versus -20. 0% for Liquidia Corporation (LQDA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Insmed Incorporated grew EPS -15. 3% year-over-year, compared to -37. 2% for Liquidia Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, INSM leads at 35. 2% 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.
05Which has better profit margins — LQDA or INSM?
Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is the more profitable company, earning -210.
5% net margin versus -931. 7% for Liquidia Corporation — meaning it keeps -210. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: INSM leads at -205. 6% versus -866. 6% for LQDA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — INSM leads at 79. 7%, 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.
06Is LQDA or INSM more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for INSM: 58.
4% to $217. 11.
07Which pays a better dividend — LQDA or INSM?
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.
08Is LQDA or INSM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Insmed Incorporated (INSM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
54), +1134% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (INSM: +1134%, LQDA: +279. 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.
09What are the main differences between LQDA and INSM?
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: LQDA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; INSM is a mid-cap high-growth 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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