Biotechnology
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RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $7M | $12.56B | $10.92B | $2.18B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $0.00 | $1.06B | $622M | $2.18B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-27M | $-327M | $-301M | $65M |
| Gross Margin | — | 98.3% | 85.1% | 34.4% |
| Operating Margin | — | -33.3% | -35.7% | -1.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 6.9x |
| Total Debt | $38K | $2.61B | $366M | $1.04B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $6M | $372M | $227M | $801M |
RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | Jul 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| TransCode Therapeut… (RNAZ) | 100 | 0.0 | -100.0% |
| Ionis Pharmaceutica… (IONS) | 100 | 204.7 | +104.7% |
| Arrowhead Pharmaceu… (ARWR) | 100 | 112.5 | +12.5% |
| Sarepta Therapeutic… (SRPT) | 100 | 30.7 | -69.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
RNAZ lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
IONS is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 0.55
- Lower volatility, beta 0.55, current ratio 3.83x
- Beta 0.55, current ratio 3.83x
- Beta 0.55 vs SRPT's 2.02
ARWR carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 232.6%, EPS growth 99.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 50.5%
- 12.5% 10Y total return vs IONS's 121.1%
- 232.6% revenue growth vs RNAZ's -87.4%
- +496.9% vs SRPT's -43.4%
SRPT is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if quality and efficiency is your priority.
- 3.0% margin vs ARWR's -48.4%
- 1.9% ROA vs ARWR's -18.1%, ROIC -31.4% vs 9.3%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 232.6% revenue growth vs RNAZ's -87.4% | |
| Quality / Margins | 3.0% margin vs ARWR's -48.4% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.55 vs SRPT's 2.02 | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +496.9% vs SRPT's -43.4% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 1.9% ROA vs ARWR's -18.1%, ROIC -31.4% vs 9.3% |
RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
Segment breakdown not available.
RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
SRPT leads in 2 of 6 categories
ARWR leads 1 • RNAZ leads 0 • IONS leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SRPT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SRPT and RNAZ operate at a comparable scale, with $2.2B and $0 in trailing revenue. SRPT is the more profitable business, keeping 3.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to ARWR's -48.4%. On growth, IONS holds the edge at +87.0% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $0 | $1.1B | $622M | $2.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$17M | $4.5B | -$203M | -$6M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$27M | -$327M | -$301M | $65M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$15M | -$971M | -$51M | $107M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | — | +98.3% | +85.1% | +34.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | — | -33.3% | -35.7% | -1.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | — | -30.9% | -48.4% | +3.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | — | -91.8% | -8.2% | +4.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | — | +87.0% | -86.4% | -1.9% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -380.7% | +39.8% | -133.8% | +162.6% |
Valuation Metrics
SRPT leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $7M | $12.6B | $10.9B | $2.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $896,691 | $14.8B | $11.1B | $2.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -0.17x | -31.94x | -6389.34x | -2.92x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 6.93x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | 90.41x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | — | 13.31x | 13.16x | 0.99x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | 24.87x | 20.71x | 1.91x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 69.58x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
ARWR leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SRPT delivers a 4.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $5 in annual profit, vs $-59 for IONS. ARWR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.73x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to IONS's 5.35x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ARWR scores 6/9 vs IONS's 3/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -1.9% | -58.6% | -55.5% | +4.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -0.5% | -10.1% | -18.1% | +1.9% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -12.8% | +9.3% | -31.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -5.1% | -14.1% | +8.8% | -24.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 5.35x | 0.73x | 0.91x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$6M | $2.2B | $140M | $238M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $6M | $372M | $227M | $801M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $38,291 | $2.6B | $366M | $1.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -3431.07x | -3.64x | -1.03x | -14.00x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — IONS and ARWR each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in IONS five years ago would be worth $20,805 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $0 for RNAZ. Over the past 12 months, ARWR leads with a +496.9% total return vs SRPT's -43.4%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors IONS at 29.3% vs RNAZ's -96.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +8.1% | -4.6% | +15.0% | -2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -19.6% | +129.9% | +496.9% | -43.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +116.1% | +92.7% | -83.6% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +108.0% | +17.4% | -72.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -100.0% | +121.1% | +1253.3% | +18.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -96.3% | +29.3% | +24.4% | -45.3% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — IONS and ARWR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
IONS is the less volatile stock with a 0.55 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than SRPT's 2.02 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ARWR currently trades 98.1% from its 52-week high vs RNAZ's 38.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.95x | 0.55x | 1.81x | 2.02x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $20.99 | $86.74 | $79.48 | $44.14 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.08 | $31.66 | $12.44 | $10.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +38.1% | +87.6% | +98.1% | +47.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 31.2 | 58.8 | 69.7 | 63.4 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 8K | 2.0M | 1.9M | 3.0M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: IONS as "Buy", ARWR as "Buy", SRPT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 41.1% upside for IONS (target: $107) vs 4.2% for ARWR (target: $81).
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $107.27 | $81.22 | $24.63 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 32 | 20 | 54 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +1.1% |
SRPT leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). ARWR leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
RNAZ vs IONS vs ARWR vs SRPT: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(ARWR) is the stronger pick with 232. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 15. 6% for Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT). Analysts rate Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IONS) a "Buy" — based on 32 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 — RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT?
Over the past 5 years, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(IONS) delivered a total return of +108. 0%, compared to -100. 0% for TransCode Therapeutics, Inc. (RNAZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ARWR returned +1253% versus RNAZ's -100. 0%. 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 — RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(IONS) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 55β versus Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. 's 2. 02β — meaning SRPT is approximately 272% more volatile than IONS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (ARWR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 73% versus 5% for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(ARWR) is pulling ahead at 232. 6% versus 15. 6% for Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. grew EPS 99. 8% year-over-year, compared to -404. 7% for Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ARWR leads at 50. 5% 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 — RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT?
TransCode Therapeutics, Inc.
(RNAZ) is the more profitable company, earning 0. 0% net margin versus -40. 4% for Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — meaning it keeps 0. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ARWR leads at 11. 9% versus -40. 5% for IONS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IONS leads at 98. 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.
06Is RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for IONS: 41.
1% to $107. 27.
07Which pays a better dividend — RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT?
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.
08Is RNAZ or IONS or ARWR or SRPT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(IONS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 55), +121. 1% 10Y return). Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc. (SRPT) carries a higher beta of 2. 02 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (IONS: +121. 1%, SRPT: +18. 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.
09What are the main differences between RNAZ and IONS and ARWR and SRPT?
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: RNAZ is a small-cap quality compounder stock; IONS is a mid-cap high-growth stock; ARWR is a mid-cap high-growth stock; SRPT 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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