Biotechnology
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MBX vs PEPG
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
MBX vs PEPG — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $1.55B | $123M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-80M | $-90M |
| Total Debt | $171K | $17M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $49M | $61M |
MBX vs PEPG — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Sep 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBX Biosciences, In… (MBX) | 100 | 133.6 | +33.6% |
| PepGen Inc. (PEPG) | 100 | 20.9 | -79.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: MBX vs PEPG
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MBX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 46.8% 10Y total return vs PEPG's -86.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.33, Low D/E 0.1%, current ratio 24.19x
- 2.3% margin vs PEPG's 2.3%
PEPG is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.17
- EPS growth 25.6%
- Beta 0.17, current ratio 11.94x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | -1.0% revenue growth vs MBX's -46.0% | |
| Quality / Margins | 2.3% margin vs PEPG's 2.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.17 vs MBX's 1.33 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +220.5% vs PEPG's +42.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -20.1% ROA vs PEPG's -60.4%, ROIC -96.9% vs -73.2% |
MBX vs PEPG — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PEPG leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
MBX and PEPG operate at a comparable scale, with $0 and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $0 |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$91M | -$90M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$80M | -$90M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$79M | -$82M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -16.7% | +60.3% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — MBX and PEPG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.6B | $123M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.5B | $80M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -18.76x | -0.84x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | — |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.50x | 0.51x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
MBX leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
MBX delivers a -20.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-21 in annual profit, vs $-76 for PEPG. MBX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.00x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PEPG's 0.12x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -20.8% | -75.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -20.1% | -60.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -96.9% | -73.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -40.4% | -63.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.00x | 0.12x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$49M | -$44M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $49M | $61M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $171,000 | $17M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MBX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MBX five years ago would be worth $14,677 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,389 for PEPG. Over the past 12 months, MBX leads with a +220.5% total return vs PEPG's +42.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MBX at 13.6% vs PEPG's -50.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +13.6% | -75.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +220.5% | +42.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +46.8% | -88.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +46.8% | -86.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +46.8% | -86.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +13.6% | -50.7% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — MBX and PEPG each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PEPG is the less volatile stock with a 0.17 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than MBX's 1.33 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. MBX currently trades 77.3% from its 52-week high vs PEPG's 22.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.33x | 0.17x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $44.89 | $7.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $9.43 | $1.01 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +77.3% | +22.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 53.7 | 37.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 491K | 1.5M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates MBX as "Buy" and PEPG as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 291.1% upside for PEPG (target: $7) vs 59.4% for MBX (target: $55).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $55.33 | $7.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 4 | 6 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
MBX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). PEPG leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
MBX vs PEPG: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MBX or PEPG a better buy right now?
Analysts rate MBX Biosciences, Inc.
Common Stock (MBX) a "Buy" — based on 4 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 — MBX or PEPG?
Over the past 5 years, MBX Biosciences, Inc.
Common Stock (MBX) delivered a total return of +46. 8%, compared to -86. 1% for PepGen Inc. (PEPG). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MBX returned +46. 8% versus PEPG's -86. 1%. 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 — MBX or PEPG?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), PepGen Inc.
(PEPG) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 17β versus MBX Biosciences, Inc. Common Stock's 1. 33β — meaning MBX is approximately 671% more volatile than PEPG relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, MBX Biosciences, Inc. Common Stock (MBX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 0% versus 12% for PepGen Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — MBX or PEPG?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PepGen Inc.
grew EPS 25. 6% year-over-year, compared to -81. 4% for MBX Biosciences, Inc. Common Stock. 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 — MBX or PEPG?
MBX Biosciences, Inc.
Common Stock (MBX) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus 0. 0% for PepGen Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MBX leads at 0. 0% versus 0. 0% for PEPG. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MBX leads at 0. 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.
06Which pays a better dividend — MBX or PEPG?
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 MBX or PEPG better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PepGen Inc.
(PEPG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 17)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PEPG: -86. 1%, MBX: +46. 8%), 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 MBX and PEPG?
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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