Biotechnology
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VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
Biotechnology
VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $378M | $5.35B | $3.86B | $2.57B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $218M | $827M | $1.10B | $669M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-240M | $-187M | $376M | $-609M |
| Gross Margin | 71.1% | 49.7% | 91.5% | 83.6% |
| Operating Margin | -73.6% | -8.3% | 7.4% | -83.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 8.3x | 50.9x | — |
| Total Debt | $13M | $492M | $52M | $1.28B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $85M | $985M | $178M | $434M |
VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanda Pharmaceutica… (VNDA) | 100 | 54.5 | -45.5% |
| PTC Therapeutics, I… (PTCT) | 100 | 127.2 | +27.2% |
| ACADIA Pharmaceutic… (ACAD) | 100 | 45.4 | -54.6% |
| Ultragenyx Pharmace… (RARE) | 100 | 38.2 | -61.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
VNDA is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- beta 1.04
- Lower volatility, beta 1.04, Low D/E 3.9%, current ratio 2.39x
- Beta 1.04, current ratio 2.39x
- Beta 1.04 vs RARE's 1.42
PTCT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for growth exposure and long-term compounding.
- Rev growth 114.5%, EPS growth 264.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 35.3%
- 7.3% 10Y total return vs ACAD's -22.9%
- 114.5% revenue growth vs VNDA's 8.7%
- Better valuation composite
ACAD is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if quality and efficiency is your priority.
- 34.3% margin vs VNDA's -110.0%
- 26.2% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC 10.0% vs -89.4%
RARE lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 114.5% revenue growth vs VNDA's 8.7% | |
| Value | Better valuation composite | |
| Quality / Margins | 34.3% margin vs VNDA's -110.0% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.04 vs RARE's 1.42 | |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 4 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | +58.2% vs RARE's -21.8% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 26.2% ROA vs RARE's -45.8%, ROIC 10.0% vs -89.4% |
VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Who Leads Where
PTCT leads in 2 of 6 categories
ACAD leads 1 • VNDA leads 0 • RARE leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACAD leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ACAD is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.1B annually — 5.0x VNDA's $218M. ACAD is the more profitable business, keeping 34.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VNDA's -110.0%. On growth, ACAD holds the edge at +9.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $218M | $827M | $1.1B | $669M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$150M | -$37M | $96M | -$536M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$240M | -$187M | $376M | -$609M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$127M | -$229M | $212M | -$487M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +71.1% | +49.7% | +91.5% | +83.6% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -73.6% | -8.3% | +7.4% | -83.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -110.0% | -22.6% | +34.3% | -91.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -58.5% | -27.7% | +19.4% | -72.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.4% | -76.8% | +9.7% | -2.4% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -64.0% | -100.3% | -81.8% | -17.2% |
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — VNDA and PTCT each lead in 2 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.3x trailing earnings, PTCT trades at a 16% valuation discount to ACAD's 9.9x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PTCT's 5.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ACAD's 26.9x.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $378M | $5.3B | $3.9B | $2.6B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $305M | $4.9B | $3.7B | $3.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -1.71x | 8.29x | 9.85x | -4.48x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | 50.91x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 5.42x | 26.91x | — |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.75x | 3.09x | 3.61x | 3.82x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.15x | — | 3.15x | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 7.61x | 36.74x | — |
Profitability & Efficiency
PTCT leads this category, winning 4 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ACAD delivers a 35.6% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $36 in annual profit, vs $-6 for RARE. VNDA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to ACAD's 0.04x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PTCT scores 7/9 vs VNDA's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -61.4% | — | +35.6% | -6.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -44.6% | -6.8% | +26.2% | -45.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -32.2% | — | +10.0% | -89.4% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -33.6% | +55.9% | +10.1% | -46.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.04x | — | 0.04x | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$72M | -$492M | -$126M | $842M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $85M | $985M | $178M | $434M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $13M | $492M | $52M | $1.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | -1.67x | — | -14.49x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
PTCT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in PTCT five years ago would be worth $16,026 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $2,281 for RARE. Over the past 12 months, PTCT leads with a +58.2% total return vs RARE's -21.8%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors PTCT at 5.1% vs RARE's -17.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -22.5% | -16.0% | -13.7% | +10.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +45.9% | +58.2% | +52.4% | -21.8% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -7.8% | +16.1% | +4.7% | -44.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -64.2% | +60.3% | +7.1% | -77.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -26.8% | +733.2% | -22.9% | -59.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -2.7% | +5.1% | +1.5% | -17.8% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VNDA and ACAD each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
VNDA is the less volatile stock with a 1.04 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than RARE's 1.42 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ACAD currently trades 81.1% from its 52-week high vs RARE's 61.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.04x | 1.13x | 1.26x | 1.42x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.94 | $87.50 | $27.81 | $42.37 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.81 | $37.94 | $14.45 | $18.29 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +64.3% | +73.7% | +81.1% | +61.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.9 | 45.3 | 44.2 | 66.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.6M | 1.0M | 1.8M | 1.8M |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VNDA as "Buy", PTCT as "Buy", ACAD as "Buy", RARE as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 121.8% upside for VNDA (target: $14) vs 39.0% for PTCT (target: $90).
| Metric | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.17 | $89.67 | $34.78 | $51.50 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 19 | 26 | 37 | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
PTCT leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). ACAD leads in 1 (Income & Cash Flow). 2 tied.
VNDA vs PTCT vs ACAD vs RARE: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE a better buy right now?
For growth investors, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the stronger pick with 114. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 8. 7% for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA). PTC Therapeutics, Inc. (PTCT) offers the better valuation at 8. 3x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA) a "Buy" — based on 19 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 — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
On trailing P/E, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the cheapest at 8. 3x versus ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 9. 9x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
Over the past 5 years, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) delivered a total return of +60. 3%, compared to -77. 2% for Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. (RARE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: PTCT returned +733. 2% versus RARE's -59. 4%. 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 — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VNDA) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 04β versus Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. 's 1. 42β — meaning RARE is approximately 37% more volatile than VNDA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 4% for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is pulling ahead at 114. 5% versus 8. 7% for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VNDA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: PTC Therapeutics, Inc. grew EPS 264. 5% year-over-year, compared to -1068. 8% for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PTCT leads at 35. 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 — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the more profitable company, earning 39. 4% net margin versus -102. 0% for Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. — meaning it keeps 39. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: PTCT leads at 49. 5% versus -79. 5% for RARE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PTCT leads at 95. 9%, 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 VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VNDA: 121.
8% to $14. 17.
08Which pays a better dividend — VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE?
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 VNDA or PTCT or ACAD or RARE better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PTC Therapeutics, Inc.
(PTCT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 13), +733. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (PTCT: +733. 2%, RARE: -59. 4%), 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 VNDA and PTCT and ACAD and RARE?
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: VNDA is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PTCT is a small-cap high-growth stock; ACAD is a small-cap deep-value stock; RARE 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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