LXRX
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$712M
5Y Perf.-12.0%
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Stock Comparison
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
PTGX
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$6.36B
5Y Perf.+498.0%
ARDX
Ardelyx, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1.71B
5Y Perf.+281.4%
FOLD
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$4.55B
5Y Perf.+15.9%
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$2.57B
5Y Perf.-61.8%
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | LXRX | PTGX | ARDX | FOLD | RARE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $712M | $6.36B | $1.71B | $4.55B | $2.57B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $70M | $18M | $428M | $634M | $669M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-26M | $-115M | $-58M | $-27M | $-609M |
| Gross Margin | 99.1% | 100.0% | 91.9% | 87.9% | 83.6% |
| Operating Margin | -34.8% | -8.1% | -8.7% | 5.2% | -83.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 30.6x | — | 40.6x | — |
| Total Debt | $62M | $10M | $212M | $483M | $1.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $34M | $128M | $68M | $214M | $434M |
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
LXRX
PTGX
ARDX
FOLD
RARE
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexicon Pharmaceuti… (LXRX) | 100 | 88.0 | -12.0% |
| Protagonist Therape… (PTGX) | 100 | 598.0 | +498.0% |
| Ardelyx, Inc. (ARDX) | 100 | 381.4 | +281.4% |
| Amicus Therapeutics… (FOLD) | 100 | 115.9 | +15.9% |
| Ultragenyx Pharmace… (RARE) | 100 | 38.2 | -61.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LXRX and PTGX are tied at the top with 2 categories each (5-stock set) — the right choice depends on your priorities. Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. FOLD also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
LXRX
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The Growth Play
LXRX has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure.
- Rev growth 60.2%, EPS growth 77.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.1%
- 60.2% revenue growth vs PTGX's -89.4%
- +145.3% vs RARE's -21.8%
Best for: growth exposure
PTGX
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
The Income Pick
PTGX is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability and long-term compounding is your priority.
- beta 0.25
- 7.4% 10Y total return vs ARDX's 263.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.25, Low D/E 1.7%, current ratio 12.71x
- Beta 0.25, current ratio 12.71x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
ARDX
Ardelyx, Inc.
The Growth Angle
ARDX lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: healthcare exposure
FOLD
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
The Quality Compounder
FOLD ranks third and is worth considering specifically for quality and efficiency.
- -4.3% margin vs PTGX's -6.5%
- -3.2% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC 5.3% vs -89.4%
Best for: quality and efficiency
RARE
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.
The Growth Angle
Among these 5 stocks, RARE doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: healthcare exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | LXRX | 60.2% revenue growth vs PTGX's -89.4% |
| Value | PTGX | Better valuation composite |
| Quality / Margins | FOLD | -4.3% margin vs PTGX's -6.5% |
| Stability / Safety | PTGX | Beta 0.25 vs LXRX's 1.46, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 5 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LXRX | +145.3% vs RARE's -21.8% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | FOLD | -3.2% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC 5.3% vs -89.4% |
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPTGXLAGGINGRARE
Who Leads Where
FOLD leads in 2 of 6 categories
PTGX leads 2 • LXRX leads 0 • ARDX leads 0 • RARE leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓RAREUltragenyx Pharmaceut…
0leads
ARDXArdelyx, Inc.
0leads
LXRXLexicon Pharmaceutica…
0leads
FOLDAmicus Therapeutics, …
2leads
PTGXProtagonist Therapeut…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs FOLDvs LXRXMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
FOLD3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PTGX2/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
FOLD6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
PTGX3/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
FOLD leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
RARE is the larger business by revenue, generating $669M annually — 37.8x PTGX's $18M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -4.3% (FOLD) to -6.5% (PTGX). On growth, LXRX holds the edge at +15.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $70M | $18M | $428M | $634M | $669M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$24M | -$141M | -$35M | $40M | -$536M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$26M | -$115M | -$58M | -$27M | -$609M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$39M | -$116M | -$37M | $30M | -$487M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +99.1% | +100.0% | +91.9% | +87.9% | +83.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -34.8% | -8.1% | -8.7% | +5.2% | -83.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -37.5% | -6.5% | -13.6% | -4.3% | -91.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -55.7% | -6.6% | -8.8% | +4.7% | -72.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +15.7% | -100.0% | +27.5% | +23.7% | -2.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +96.3% | +126.3% | +11.8% | -89.0% | -17.2% |
FOLD leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PTGX leads this category, winning 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $712M | $6.4B | $1.7B | $4.5B | $2.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $740M | $6.2B | $1.9B | $4.8B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -12.00x | -48.22x | -26.85x | -164.85x | -4.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 30.60x | — | 40.62x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | 114.88x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 14.29x | 138.15x | 4.20x | 7.17x | 3.82x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.67x | 10.22x | 10.08x | 16.29x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 113.36x | — | 152.43x | — |
PTGX leads this category, winning 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FOLD leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
FOLD delivers a -12.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-12 in annual profit, vs $-6 for RARE. PTGX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.02x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to FOLD's 1.76x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LXRX scores 4/9 vs ARDX's 3/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -18.6% | -17.8% | -38.1% | -12.0% | -6.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -11.8% | -16.5% | -11.8% | -3.2% | -45.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -22.7% | -21.8% | -10.7% | +5.3% | -89.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -23.4% | -23.9% | -10.6% | +5.1% | -46.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.58x | 0.02x | 1.27x | 1.76x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $28M | -$118M | $144M | $269M | $842M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $34M | $128M | $68M | $214M | $434M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $62M | $10M | $212M | $483M | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -4.03x | — | -0.28x | 1.00x | -14.49x |
FOLD leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PTGX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ARDX five years ago would be worth $41,302 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,281 for RARE. Over the past 12 months, LXRX leads with a +145.3% total return vs RARE's -21.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PTGX at 58.3% vs LXRX's -19.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +47.4% | +13.4% | +13.5% | +1.5% | +10.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +145.3% | +129.4% | +88.6% | +137.9% | -21.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -48.5% | +296.5% | +66.6% | +19.0% | -44.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -63.3% | +238.8% | +313.0% | +48.6% | -77.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -86.7% | +744.9% | +263.5% | +119.2% | -59.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -19.8% | +58.3% | +18.5% | +6.0% | -17.8% |
PTGX leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PTGX and FOLD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PTGX is the less volatile stock with a 0.25 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than LXRX's 1.46 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. FOLD currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs RARE's 61.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.46x | 0.25x | 0.87x | 0.63x | 1.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $1.95 | $107.84 | $8.40 | $14.50 | $42.37 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.51 | $41.29 | $3.21 | $5.51 | $18.29 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +86.2% | +91.7% | +83.1% | +99.9% | +61.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 44.5 | 56.4 | 68.6 | 72.2 | 66.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 2.3M | 752K | 3.5M | 3.0M | 1.8M |
Evenly matched — PTGX and FOLD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: LXRX as "Hold", PTGX as "Buy", ARDX as "Buy", FOLD as "Buy", RARE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 257.1% upside for LXRX (target: $6) vs 0.1% for FOLD (target: $15).
| Metric | LXRXLexicon Pharmaceu… | PTGXProtagonist Thera… | ARDXArdelyx, Inc. | FOLDAmicus Therapeuti… | RAREUltragenyx Pharma… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $6.00 | $116.75 | $17.00 | $14.50 | $51.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 14 | 26 | 16 | 24 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
FOLD leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PTGX leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallProtagonist Therapeutics, I… (PTGX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
LXRX vs PTGX vs ARDX vs FOLD vs RARE: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(LXRX) is the stronger pick with 60. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -89. 4% for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX). Analysts rate Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX) a "Buy" — based on 26 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 — LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE?
Over the past 5 years, Ardelyx, Inc.
(ARDX) delivered a total return of +313. 0%, compared to -77. 2% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PTGX returned +744. 9% versus LXRX's -86. 7%. 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 — LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTGX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 25β versus Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 's 1. 46β — meaning LXRX is approximately 481% more volatile than PTGX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 176% for Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(LXRX) is pulling ahead at 60. 2% versus -89. 4% for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. grew EPS 77. 8% year-over-year, compared to -148. 5% for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, LXRX leads at 610. 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.
05Which has better profit margins — LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE?
Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.
(FOLD) is the more profitable company, earning -4. 3% net margin versus -282. 8% for Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps -4. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: FOLD leads at 5. 4% versus -343. 6% for PTGX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LXRX leads at 99. 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.
06Is LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTGX) trades at 30. 6x forward P/E versus 40. 6x for Amicus Therapeutics, Inc. — 10. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for LXRX: 257. 1% to $6. 00.
07Which pays a better dividend — LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE?
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 LXRX or PTGX or ARDX or FOLD or RARE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTGX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 25), +744. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PTGX: +744. 9%, LXRX: -86. 7%), 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 LXRX and PTGX and ARDX and FOLD and RARE?
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: LXRX is a small-cap high-growth stock; PTGX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ARDX is a small-cap high-growth stock; FOLD is a small-cap high-growth stock; RARE is a small-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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