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NAGE vs NBIX
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
NAGE vs NBIX — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic |
| Market Cap | $336M | $15.01B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $129M | $3.10B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $17M | $669M |
| Gross Margin | 64.3% | 98.2% |
| Operating Margin | 11.0% | 25.4% |
| Forward P/E | 17.3x | 20.4x |
| Total Debt | $3M | $415M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $65M | $713M |
NAGE vs NBIX — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagen Bioscience I… (NAGE) | 100 | 86.7 | -13.3% |
| Neurocrine Bioscien… (NBIX) | 100 | 122.0 | +22.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: NAGE vs NBIX
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
NAGE has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in growth exposure and sleep-well-at-night.
- Rev growth 29.9%, EPS growth 81.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 21.6%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.74, Low D/E 3.7%, current ratio 4.86x
- 29.9% revenue growth vs NBIX's 21.4%
NBIX is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 0.76
- 233.2% 10Y total return vs NAGE's -8.9%
- Beta 0.76, current ratio 3.39x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 29.9% revenue growth vs NBIX's 21.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (17.3x vs 20.4x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 21.6% margin vs NAGE's 13.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.76 vs NAGE's 1.74 | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +23.0% vs NAGE's -50.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 18.4% ROA vs NBIX's 15.1%, ROIC 114.1% vs 16.1% |
NAGE vs NBIX — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
NAGE vs NBIX — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NBIX leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NBIX is the larger business by revenue, generating $3.1B annually — 24.0x NAGE's $129M. NBIX is the more profitable business, keeping 21.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to NAGE's 13.4%. On growth, NBIX holds the edge at +42.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $129M | $3.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $16M | $811M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $17M | $669M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $13M | $831M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +64.3% | +98.2% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +11.0% | +25.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +13.4% | +21.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +10.2% | +26.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +16.2% | +42.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -44.4% | +22.9% |
Valuation Metrics
NAGE leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 20.9x trailing earnings, NAGE trades at a 35% valuation discount to NBIX's 32.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NAGE's 17.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than NBIX's 22.7x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $336M | $15.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $274M | $14.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 20.95x | 32.03x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.32x | 20.44x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 13.69x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 17.37x | 22.67x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.59x | 5.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.68x | 4.71x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 25.53x | 20.05x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NAGE leads this category, winning 6 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NAGE delivers a 26.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $26 in annual profit, vs $22 for NBIX. NAGE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NBIX's 0.13x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +26.1% | +21.6% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +18.4% | +15.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +114.1% | +16.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +20.9% | +17.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | 0.13x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$62M | -$298M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $65M | $713M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $3M | $415M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NBIX leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NBIX five years ago would be worth $16,431 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,564 for NAGE. Over the past 12 months, NBIX leads with a +23.0% total return vs NAGE's -50.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NAGE at 45.5% vs NBIX's 15.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -33.0% | +6.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -50.4% | +23.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +208.1% | +52.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -44.4% | +64.3% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -8.9% | +233.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +45.5% | +15.2% |
Risk & Volatility
NBIX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NBIX is the less volatile stock with a 0.76 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NAGE's 1.74 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. NBIX currently trades 93.4% from its 52-week high vs NAGE's 28.5% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.76x | 0.87x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $14.69 | $160.18 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $4.04 | $115.66 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +28.5% | +93.4% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 56.1 | 74.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.1M | 1.1M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NAGE as "Buy" and NBIX as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 138.7% upside for NAGE (target: $10) vs 21.2% for NBIX (target: $181).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $10.00 | $181.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 37 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.1% | +1.1% |
NBIX leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). NAGE leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency).
NAGE vs NBIX: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NAGE or NBIX a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) is the stronger pick with 29.
9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 21. 4% for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NBIX). Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) offers the better valuation at 20. 9x trailing P/E (17. 3x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) 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 has the better valuation — NAGE or NBIX?
On trailing P/E, Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) is the cheapest at 20.
9x versus Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. at 32. 0x. On forward P/E, Niagen Bioscience Inc is actually cheaper at 17. 3x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NAGE or NBIX?
Over the past 5 years, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
(NBIX) delivered a total return of +64. 3%, compared to -44. 4% for Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NBIX returned +239. 2% versus NAGE's -9. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — NAGE or NBIX?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
(NBIX) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 87β versus Niagen Bioscience Inc's 1. 76β — meaning NAGE is approximately 103% more volatile than NBIX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 13% for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — NAGE or NBIX?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) is pulling ahead at 29.
9% versus 21. 4% for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (NBIX). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Niagen Bioscience Inc grew EPS 81. 8% year-over-year, compared to 41. 9% for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, NBIX leads at 24. 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.
06Which has better profit margins — NAGE or NBIX?
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
(NBIX) is the more profitable company, earning 16. 7% net margin versus 13. 4% for Niagen Bioscience Inc — meaning it keeps 16. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NBIX leads at 21. 6% versus 11. 0% for NAGE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NBIX leads at 98. 2%, 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.
07Is NAGE or NBIX more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) trades at 17.
3x forward P/E versus 20. 4x for Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. — 3. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NAGE: 138. 7% to $10. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — NAGE or NBIX?
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.
09Is NAGE or NBIX better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
(NBIX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 87), +239. 2% 10Y return). Niagen Bioscience Inc (NAGE) carries a higher beta of 1. 76 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NBIX: +239. 2%, NAGE: -9. 3%), 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.
10What are the main differences between NAGE and NBIX?
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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