Biotechnology
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MPLT vs ACLX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
MPLT vs ACLX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $1.33B | $6.73B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $22M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-103M | $-229M |
| Gross Margin | — | -64.8% |
| Operating Margin | — | -11.4% |
| Total Debt | $7M | $96M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $38M | $80M |
Quick Verdict: MPLT vs ACLX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
MPLT has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- EPS growth -39.6%
- Low D/E 5.7%, current ratio 7.20x
- current ratio 7.20x
ACLX is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 5.8% 10Y total return vs MPLT's 62.6%
- +95.0% vs MPLT's +62.6%
- -36.2% ROA vs MPLT's -69.7%, ROIC -46.2% vs -153.7%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Quality / Margins | 3.3% margin vs ACLX's -10.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Lower D/E ratio (5.7% vs 23.9%) | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +95.0% vs MPLT's +62.6% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -36.2% ROA vs MPLT's -69.7%, ROIC -46.2% vs -153.7% |
MPLT vs ACLX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACLX and MPLT operate at a comparable scale, with $22M and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $22M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$108M | -$246M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$103M | -$229M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$113M | -$213M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | -64.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | -11.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -10.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | -9.5% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -89.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -13.6% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — MPLT and ACLX each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $6.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $6.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -15.66x | -28.27x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 302.09x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 10.53x | 16.10x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — MPLT and ACLX each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACLX delivers a -55.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-55 in annual profit, vs $-2 for MPLT. MPLT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.06x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ACLX's 0.24x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MPLT scores 4/9 vs ACLX's 1/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.1% | -55.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -69.7% | -36.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -153.7% | -46.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -83.9% | -46.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 1 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.06x | 0.24x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$32M | $16M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $38M | $80M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $7M | $96M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -8.45x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ACLX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ACLX five years ago would be worth $68,494 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $16,263 for MPLT. Over the past 12 months, ACLX leads with a +95.0% total return vs MPLT's +62.6%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ACLX at 38.4% vs MPLT's 17.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +62.6% | +81.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +62.6% | +95.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +62.6% | +164.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +62.6% | +584.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +62.6% | +584.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +17.6% | +38.4% |
Risk & Volatility
ACLX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Risk & Volatility
ACLX currently trades 99.9% from its 52-week high vs MPLT's 88.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | — | -0.58x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $33.28 | $115.13 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $16.34 | $53.07 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.0% | +99.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.2 | 79.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 264K | 1.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Consensus price targets imply 15.4% upside for MPLT (target: $34) vs -2.3% for ACLX (target: $112).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $33.80 | $112.45 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
ACLX leads in 2 of 6 categories — strongest in Total Returns and Risk & Volatility. 2 categories are tied.
MPLT vs ACLX: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is MPLT or ACLX a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Arcellx, Inc.
(ACLX) a "Hold" — based on 18 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 — MPLT or ACLX?
Over the past 5 years, Arcellx, Inc.
(ACLX) delivered a total return of +584. 9%, compared to +62. 6% for MapLight Therapeutics, Inc. (MPLT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ACLX returned +584. 9% versus MPLT's +59. 5%. 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 — MPLT or ACLX?
On balance sheet safety, MapLight Therapeutics, Inc.
(MPLT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 6% versus 24% for Arcellx, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — MPLT or ACLX?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MapLight Therapeutics, Inc.
grew EPS -39. 6% year-over-year, compared to -103. 5% for Arcellx, 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 — MPLT or ACLX?
MapLight Therapeutics, Inc.
(MPLT) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -1027. 3% for Arcellx, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MPLT leads at 0. 0% versus -1135. 6% for ACLX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ACLX leads at 70. 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 — MPLT or ACLX?
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 MPLT or ACLX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Arcellx, Inc.
(ACLX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0. 58), +584. 9% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ACLX: +584. 9%, MPLT: +59. 5%), 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 MPLT and ACLX?
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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