Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
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PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
Biotechnology
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Biotechnology
PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $862K | $586M | $1.69B | $1.61B | $2.50B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $8M | $55M | $4.18B | $236M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-4M | $-65M | $-164M | $-1.82B | $-369M |
| Gross Margin | — | 73.3% | 99.6% | 34.2% | 90.7% |
| Operating Margin | — | -9.8% | -237.9% | -4.1% | -168.6% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 5.5x | — |
| Total Debt | $45K | $0.00 | $149M | $3.97B | $99M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $4M | $20M | $15M | $532M | $222M |
PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Sep 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PainReform Ltd. (PRFX) | 100 | 0.1 | -99.9% |
| Aclaris Therapeutic… (ACRS) | 100 | 191.8 | +91.8% |
| Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) | 100 | 32.9 | -67.1% |
| Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) | 100 | 25.5 | -74.5% |
| Arcus Biosciences, … (RCUS) | 100 | 148.0 | +48.0% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PRFX carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth and quality.
- 77.9% revenue growth vs ACRS's -58.2%
- 1.9% margin vs ACRS's -8.3%
ACRS ranks third and is worth considering specifically for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 0.30
- Lower volatility, beta 0.30, current ratio 5.28x
- Beta 0.30, current ratio 5.28x
- Beta 0.30 vs RCUS's 1.95
NKTR is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +8.2% vs PRFX's -82.1%
PRGO is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if dividends and efficiency is your priority.
- 9.8% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other 4 pay no meaningful dividend
- -19.8% ROA vs NKTR's -62.8%, ROIC 3.7% vs -57.2%
RCUS is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth -4.3%, EPS growth -4.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 30.2%
- 45.9% 10Y total return vs NKTR's -59.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 77.9% revenue growth vs ACRS's -58.2% | |
| Quality / Margins | 1.9% margin vs ACRS's -8.3% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.30 vs RCUS's 1.95 | |
| Dividends | 9.8% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other 4 pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +8.2% vs PRFX's -82.1% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | -19.8% ROA vs NKTR's -62.8%, ROIC 3.7% vs -57.2% |
PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
PRGO leads in 2 of 6 categories
NKTR leads 1 • ACRS leads 1 • PRFX leads 0 • RCUS leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRGO and PRFX operate at a comparable scale, with $4.2B and $0 in trailing revenue. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -43.5% (PRGO) to -8.3% (ACRS). On growth, PRGO holds the edge at -7.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $8M | $55M | $4.2B | $236M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$4M | -$76M | -$130M | $58M | -$391M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$4M | -$65M | -$164M | -$1.8B | -$369M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$6M | -$47M | -$209M | $108M | -$489M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +73.3% | +99.6% | +34.2% | +90.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | -9.8% | -2.4% | -4.1% | -168.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -8.3% | -3.0% | -43.5% | -156.4% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | -6.0% | -3.8% | +2.6% | -2.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | -85.9% | -25.3% | -7.2% | -39.3% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +98.9% | +84.2% | -4.5% | -56.4% | +10.5% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — PRFX and ACRS and PRGO each lead in 1 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $861,734 | $586M | $1.7B | $1.6B | $2.5B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | -$3M | $566M | $1.8B | $5.1B | $2.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.06x | -9.17x | -8.57x | -1.14x | -7.54x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 5.53x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | 7.42x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 74.83x | 30.64x | 0.38x | 10.11x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.47x | 5.78x | 15.66x | 0.55x | 4.22x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | 11.12x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
PRFX delivers a -48.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-48 in annual profit, vs $-4 for NKTR. PRFX carries lower financial leverage with a 0.02x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to NKTR's 1.66x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PRGO scores 4/9 vs RCUS's 0/9, reflecting mixed financial health.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -48.4% | -63.0% | -4.0% | -50.7% | -69.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -36.6% | -40.5% | -62.8% | -19.8% | -35.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -53.5% | -57.2% | +3.7% | -64.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -3.1% | -47.7% | -55.7% | +4.3% | -42.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.02x | — | 1.66x | 1.35x | 0.16x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$4M | -$20M | $134M | $3.4B | -$123M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $4M | $20M | $15M | $532M | $222M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $45,000 | $0 | $149M | $4.0B | $99M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1048.07x | — | -4.74x | -7.20x | -13.38x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NKTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in RCUS five years ago would be worth $8,143 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $23 for PRFX. Over the past 12 months, NKTR leads with a +818.2% total return vs PRFX's -82.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NKTR at 93.3% vs PRFX's -78.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -45.6% | +68.8% | +92.0% | -13.5% | +6.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -82.1% | +288.8% | +818.2% | -51.2% | +209.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.0% | -42.1% | +621.8% | -58.1% | +24.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.8% | -78.8% | -72.3% | -60.1% | -18.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -99.9% | -76.3% | -59.1% | -77.7% | +45.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -78.7% | -16.7% | +93.3% | -25.2% | +7.7% |
Risk & Volatility
ACRS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ACRS is the less volatile stock with a 0.30 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RCUS's 1.95 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ACRS currently trades 99.4% from its 52-week high vs PRFX's 10.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.69x | 0.22x | 1.80x | 1.21x | 1.84x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $17.95 | $4.89 | $109.00 | $28.44 | $28.72 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $0.77 | $1.16 | $7.99 | $9.23 | $7.06 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +10.6% | +99.4% | +76.5% | +41.2% | +86.3% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 35.0 | 66.0 | 53.4 | 60.9 | 60.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 622K | 1.9M | 991K | 3.4M | 1.2M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: ACRS as "Buy", NKTR as "Buy", PRGO as "Hold", RCUS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 208.9% upside for PRGO (target: $36) vs 21.0% for RCUS (target: $30). PRGO is the only dividend payer here at 9.81% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $10.60 | $147.33 | $36.20 | $30.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 16 | 33 | 36 | 18 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | +9.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | 10 | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | $1.15 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
PRGO leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). NKTR leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
PRFX vs ACRS vs NKTR vs PRGO vs RCUS: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) is the stronger pick with -2.
8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -58. 2% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS). Analysts rate Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS) a "Buy" — based on 16 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 — PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS?
Over the past 5 years, Arcus Biosciences, Inc.
(RCUS) delivered a total return of -18. 6%, compared to -99. 8% for PainReform Ltd. (PRFX). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: RCUS returned +49. 2% versus PRFX's -99. 9%. 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 — PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
(ACRS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 22β versus Arcus Biosciences, Inc. 's 1. 84β — meaning RCUS is approximately 737% more volatile than ACRS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PainReform Ltd. (PRFX) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 2% versus 166% for Nektar Therapeutics — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) is pulling ahead at -2.
8% versus -58. 2% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (ACRS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PainReform Ltd. grew EPS 81. 2% year-over-year, compared to -723. 2% for Perrigo Company plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, RCUS leads at 30. 2% 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 — PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS?
PainReform Ltd.
(PRFX) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -829. 6% for Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PRGO leads at 8. 1% versus -975. 9% for ACRS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NKTR leads at 100. 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.
06Is PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PRGO: 208.
9% to $36. 20.
07Which pays a better dividend — PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS?
In this comparison, PRGO (9.
8% yield) pays a dividend. PRFX, ACRS, NKTR, RCUS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is PRFX or ACRS or NKTR or PRGO or RCUS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.
(ACRS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 22)). Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) carries a higher beta of 1. 80 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (ACRS: -76. 0%, NKTR: -59. 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.
09What are the main differences between PRFX and ACRS and NKTR and PRGO and RCUS?
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: PRFX is a small-cap quality compounder stock; ACRS is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NKTR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PRGO is a small-cap income-oriented stock; RCUS is a small-cap quality compounder stock. PRGO pays a dividend while PRFX, ACRS, NKTR, RCUS do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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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