PLRX
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$70M
5Y Perf.-96.5%
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AKBA
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Stock Comparison
PLRX vs AKBA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
AKBA
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$248M
5Y Perf.-93.2%
PLRX vs AKBA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  PLRX |  AKBA |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $70M | $248M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $232M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-113M | $-21M |
| Gross Margin | — | 80.9% |
| Operating Margin | — | 2.3% |
| Total Debt | $29M | $216M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $45M | $185M |
PLRX vs AKBA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
PLRX
AKBA
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pliant Therapeutics… (PLRX) | 100 | 3.5 | -96.5% |
| Akebia Therapeutics… (AKBA) | 100 | 6.8 | -93.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PLRX vs AKBA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PLRX leads in 4 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for operational efficiency and capital deployment. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇PLRX emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
PLRX
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
The Income Pick
PLRX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 1.14
- Lower volatility, beta 1.14, Low D/E 16.1%, current ratio 12.00x
- Beta 1.14, current ratio 12.00x
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
AKBA
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
The Growth Play
AKBA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 47.5%, EPS growth 93.7%, 3Y rev CAGR -6.9%
- -89.0% 10Y total return vs PLRX's -94.7%
- -5.7% ROA vs PLRX's -45.1%, ROIC 23.2% vs -49.2%
Best for: growth exposure and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  PLRX | 48.6% revenue growth vs AKBA's 47.5% |
| Quality / Margins | PLRX | -1.1% margin vs AKBA's -8.8% |
| Stability / Safety | PLRX | Beta 1.14 vs AKBA's 1.32, lower leverage |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | PLRX | -23.1% vs AKBA's -74.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) |  AKBA | -5.7% ROA vs PLRX's -45.1%, ROIC 23.2% vs -49.2% |
PLRX vs AKBA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
PLRX vs AKBA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLPLRXLAGGINGAKBA
AKBAAkebia Therapeutics, …
2leads
PLRXPliant Therapeutics, …
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs AKBAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
PLRX1/1
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
AKBA5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
AKBA4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
PLRX2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PLRX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
AKBA and PLRX operate at a comparable scale, with $232M and $0 in trailing revenue.
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $232M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$118M | $7M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$113M | -$21M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$99M | $60M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +80.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | +2.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -8.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | +25.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -6.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +65.2% | -2.3% |
PLRX leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — PLRX and AKBA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $70M | $248M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $54M | $279M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.47x | -44.45x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 11.28x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 1.05x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.38x | 7.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 3.65x |
Evenly matched — PLRX and AKBA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
AKBA leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PLRX delivers a -59.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-59 in annual profit, vs $-63 for AKBA. PLRX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.16x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AKBA's 6.63x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AKBA scores 5/9 vs PLRX's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -59.1% | -62.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -45.1% | -5.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -49.2% | +23.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -52.4% | +13.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.16x | 6.63x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$16M | $31M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $45M | $185M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $29M | $216M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -29.83x | 0.16x |
AKBA leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
AKBA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in AKBA five years ago would be worth $2,533 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $343 for PLRX. Over the past 12 months, PLRX leads with a -23.1% total return vs AKBA's -74.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AKBA at -9.8% vs PLRX's -63.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.6% | -40.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -23.1% | -74.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.0% | -26.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -96.6% | -74.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -94.7% | -89.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -63.2% | -9.8% |
AKBA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PLRX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PLRX is the less volatile stock with a 1.14 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AKBA's 1.32 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PLRX currently trades 57.9% from its 52-week high vs AKBA's 22.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.14x | 1.32x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $1.95 | $4.08 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $1.09 | $0.82 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +57.9% | +22.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 40.5 | 32.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 481K | 4.1M |
PLRX leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
| Metric | PLRXPliant Therapeuti… | AKBAAkebia Therapeuti… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $4.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 11 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
PLRX leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Risk & Volatility). AKBA leads in 2 (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallPliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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PLRX vs AKBA: Frequently Asked Questions
8 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PLRX or AKBA a better buy right now?
Analysts rate Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
(AKBA) a "Buy" — based on 11 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 — PLRX or AKBA?
Over the past 5 years, Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
(AKBA) delivered a total return of -74. 7%, compared to -96. 6% for Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AKBA returned -89. 0% versus PLRX's -94. 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 — PLRX or AKBA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
(PLRX) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 14β versus Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. 's 1. 32β — meaning AKBA is approximately 16% more volatile than PLRX relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Pliant Therapeutics, Inc. (PLRX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 16% versus 7% for Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PLRX or AKBA?
On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
grew EPS 93. 7% year-over-year, compared to 30. 0% for Pliant Therapeutics, 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 — PLRX or AKBA?
Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
(PLRX) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -2. 3% for Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AKBA leads at 9. 9% versus 0. 0% for PLRX. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AKBA leads at 83. 3%, 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 — PLRX or AKBA?
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 PLRX or AKBA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Pliant Therapeutics, Inc.
(PLRX) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 14)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PLRX: -94. 7%, AKBA: -89. 0%), 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 PLRX and AKBA?
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: PLRX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; AKBA 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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