Medical - Diagnostics & Research
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TWST vs TMO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Medical - Diagnostics & Research
TWST vs TMO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Medical - Diagnostics & Research | Medical - Diagnostics & Research |
| Market Cap | $3.65B | $176.36B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $409M | $45.20B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-81M | $6.86B |
| Gross Margin | 52.1% | 39.4% |
| Operating Margin | -33.9% | 17.8% |
| Forward P/E | — | 19.1x |
| Total Debt | $137M | $40.85B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $183M | $9.86B |
TWST vs TMO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twist Bioscience Co… (TWST) | 100 | 154.3 | +54.3% |
| Thermo Fisher Scien… (TMO) | 100 | 135.9 | +35.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: TWST vs TMO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
TWST is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 20.3%, EPS growth 63.9%, 3Y rev CAGR 22.8%
- 318.1% 10Y total return vs TMO's 229.1%
- Lower volatility, beta 2.47, Low D/E 29.0%, current ratio 3.64x
TMO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and defensive.
- Dividend streak 8 yrs, beta 1.10, yield 0.4%
- Beta 1.10, yield 0.4%, current ratio 1.89x
- 15.2% margin vs TWST's -19.8%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 20.3% revenue growth vs TMO's 3.9% | |
| Quality / Margins | 15.2% margin vs TWST's -19.8% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.10 vs TWST's 2.47 | |
| Dividends | 0.4% yield; 8-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +78.6% vs TMO's +16.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 6.4% ROA vs TWST's -12.5%, ROIC 7.5% vs -26.9% |
TWST vs TMO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
TWST vs TMO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TMO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
TMO is the larger business by revenue, generating $45.2B annually — 110.4x TWST's $409M. TMO is the more profitable business, keeping 15.2% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to TWST's -19.8%. On growth, TWST holds the edge at +19.3% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $409M | $45.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$115M | $10.5B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$81M | $6.9B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$95M | $6.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +52.1% | +39.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -33.9% | +17.8% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -19.8% | +15.2% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -23.2% | +14.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +19.3% | +6.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -7.6% | +11.3% |
Valuation Metrics
TMO leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.6B | $176.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $3.6B | $207.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -45.03x | 26.75x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 19.11x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 12.67x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 19.04x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 9.68x | 3.96x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 7.40x | 3.34x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 28.02x |
Profitability & Efficiency
TMO leads this category, winning 5 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
TMO delivers a 13.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $-17 for TWST. TWST carries lower financial leverage with a 0.29x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to TMO's 0.76x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), TMO scores 6/9 vs TWST's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -17.5% | +13.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -12.5% | +6.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -26.9% | +7.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -24.9% | +9.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 6 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.29x | 0.76x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$46M | $31.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $183M | $9.9B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $137M | $40.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 5.89x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
TWST leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in TMO five years ago would be worth $10,283 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $5,015 for TWST. Over the past 12 months, TWST leads with a +78.6% total return vs TMO's +16.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors TWST at 63.5% vs TMO's -4.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +80.7% | -19.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +78.6% | +16.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +336.9% | -11.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -49.9% | +2.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +318.1% | +229.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +63.5% | -4.0% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — TWST and TMO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
TMO is the less volatile stock with a 1.10 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than TWST's 2.47 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. TWST currently trades 88.7% from its 52-week high vs TMO's 73.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.47x | 1.10x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $66.00 | $643.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $23.30 | $385.46 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +88.7% | +73.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 57.0 | 43.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 1.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates TWST as "Buy" and TMO as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 38.0% upside for TMO (target: $655) vs -15.4% for TWST (target: $50). TMO is the only dividend payer here at 0.36% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $49.50 | $654.67 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 13 | 42 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $1.69 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +1.7% |
TMO leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). TWST leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
TWST vs TMO: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is TWST or TMO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is the stronger pick with 20.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 3. 9% for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO). Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) offers the better valuation at 26. 8x trailing P/E (19. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) a "Buy" — based on 13 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 — TWST or TMO?
Over the past 5 years, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
(TMO) delivered a total return of +2. 8%, compared to -49. 9% for Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: TWST returned +318. 1% versus TMO's +229. 1%. 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 — TWST or TMO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
(TMO) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 10β versus Twist Bioscience Corporation's 2. 47β — meaning TWST is approximately 126% more volatile than TMO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 29% versus 76% for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — TWST or TMO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) is pulling ahead at 20.
3% versus 3. 9% for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Twist Bioscience Corporation grew EPS 63. 9% year-over-year, compared to 7. 3% for Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, TWST leads at 22. 8% 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 — TWST or TMO?
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
(TMO) is the more profitable company, earning 15. 1% net margin versus -20. 6% for Twist Bioscience Corporation — meaning it keeps 15. 1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TMO leads at 18. 2% versus -36. 2% for TWST. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — TWST leads at 50. 7%, 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 TWST or TMO more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for TMO: 38.
0% to $654. 67.
07Which pays a better dividend — TWST or TMO?
In this comparison, TMO (0.
4% yield) pays a dividend. TWST does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is TWST or TMO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
(TMO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 10), +229. 1% 10Y return). Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST) carries a higher beta of 2. 47 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TMO: +229. 1%, TWST: +318. 1%), 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 TWST and TMO?
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: TWST is a small-cap high-growth stock; TMO is a mid-cap quality compounder 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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