VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$142M
5Y Perf.-92.8%
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Stock Comparison
VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
DBVT
DBV Technologies S.A.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1712.35T
5Y Perf.-58.8%
PRGO
Perrigo Company plc
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$1.61B
5Y Perf.-78.6%
ALKS
Alkermes plc
Biotechnology
Market Cap$5.90B
5Y Perf.+116.4%
VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VRCA | DBVT | PRGO | ALKS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Biotechnology |
| Market Cap | $142M | $1712.35T | $1.61B | $5.90B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $36M | $0.00 | $4.18B | $1.56B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-18M | $-168M | $-1.82B | $153M |
| Gross Margin | 93.8% | — | 34.2% | 65.4% |
| Operating Margin | -34.2% | — | -4.1% | 12.3% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | 5.6x | 24.8x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $22M | $3.97B | $70M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $30M | $194M | $532M | $1.12B |
VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VRCA
DBVT
PRGO
ALKS
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verrica Pharmaceuti… (VRCA) | 100 | 7.2 | -92.8% |
| DBV Technologies S.… (DBVT) | 100 | 41.2 | -58.8% |
| Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) | 100 | 21.4 | -78.6% |
| Alkermes plc (ALKS) | 100 | 216.4 | +116.4% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ALKS leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Perrigo Company plc is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. VRCA and DBVT also each lead in at least one category. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Growth Play
VRCA is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 370.2%, EPS growth 88.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 57.9%
- 370.2% revenue growth vs DBVT's -100.0%
Best for: growth exposure
DBVT
DBV Technologies S.A.
The Momentum Pick
DBVT is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +110.4% vs PRGO's -51.2%
Best for: momentum
PRGO
Perrigo Company plc
The Income Pick
PRGO is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if income & stability is your priority.
- Dividend streak 10 yrs, beta 1.18, yield 9.8%
- Lower P/E (5.6x vs 24.8x)
- 9.8% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend
Best for: income & stability
ALKS
Alkermes plc
The Long-Run Compounder
ALKS carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- -11.0% 10Y total return vs PRGO's -77.7%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.06, Low D/E 3.8%, current ratio 3.55x
- Beta 1.06, current ratio 3.55x
- 9.8% margin vs VRCA's -50.3%
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | VRCA | 370.2% revenue growth vs DBVT's -100.0% |
| Value | PRGO | Lower P/E (5.6x vs 24.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | ALKS | 9.8% margin vs VRCA's -50.3% |
| Stability / Safety | ALKS | Beta 1.06 vs VRCA's 2.19, lower leverage |
| Dividends | PRGO | 9.8% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | DBVT | +110.4% vs PRGO's -51.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ALKS | 5.4% ROA vs DBVT's -89.0% |
VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2025
VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLALKSLAGGINGDBVT
Who Leads Where
ALKS leads in 3 of 6 categories
PRGO leads 2 • VRCA leads 0 • DBVT leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓DBVTDBV Technologies S.A.
0leads
VRCAVerrica Pharmaceutica…
0leads
PRGOPerrigo Company plc
2leads
ALKSAlkermes plc
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PRGOvs VRCAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ALKS3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PRGO4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ALKS8/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ALKS2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PRGO1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ALKS leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRGO and DBVT operate at a comparable scale, with $4.2B and $0 in trailing revenue. ALKS is the more profitable business, keeping 9.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VRCA's -50.3%. On growth, VRCA holds the edge at +13.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $36M | $0 | $4.2B | $1.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$11M | -$112M | $58M | $212M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$18M | -$168M | -$1.8B | $153M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18M | -$151M | $108M | $392M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +93.8% | — | +34.2% | +65.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -34.2% | — | -4.1% | +12.3% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -50.3% | — | -43.5% | +9.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -49.5% | — | +2.6% | +25.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.8% | — | -7.2% | +28.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +73.4% | +91.5% | -56.4% | -4.1% |
ALKS leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, PRGO's 7.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than ALKS's 17.3x.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $142M | $1712.35T | $1.6B | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $113M | $1712.35T | $5.1B | $4.9B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.90x | -0.76x | -1.14x | 24.76x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | 5.56x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | 7.42x | 17.25x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.98x | — | 0.38x | 4.00x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.55x | 0.66x | 0.55x | 3.28x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | 11.12x | 12.28x |
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ALKS leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ALKS delivers a 8.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-2 for VRCA. ALKS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.04x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to PRGO's 1.35x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ALKS scores 7/9 vs PRGO's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.4% | -130.2% | -50.7% | +8.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -42.3% | -89.0% | -19.8% | +5.4% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | — | +3.7% | +18.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -42.8% | -145.7% | +4.3% | +14.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.07x | 0.13x | 1.35x | 0.04x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$29M | -$172M | $3.4B | -$1.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $30M | $194M | $532M | $1.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $22M | $4.0B | $70M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.33x | -189.82x | -7.20x | 32.30x |
ALKS leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — DBVT and ALKS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ALKS five years ago would be worth $16,091 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $717 for VRCA. Over the past 12 months, DBVT leads with a +110.4% total return vs PRGO's -51.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors DBVT at 6.2% vs VRCA's -50.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.7% | +4.9% | -13.5% | +25.3% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +101.5% | +110.4% | -51.2% | +16.5% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.6% | +19.7% | -58.1% | +14.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -92.8% | -69.1% | -60.1% | +60.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.3% | -87.0% | -77.7% | -11.0% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -50.1% | +6.2% | -25.2% | +4.6% |
Evenly matched — DBVT and ALKS each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ALKS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ALKS is the less volatile stock with a 1.06 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than VRCA's 2.19 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. ALKS currently trades 96.7% from its 52-week high vs PRGO's 41.2% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.19x | 1.26x | 1.18x | 1.06x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.82 | $26.18 | $28.44 | $36.60 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.28 | $7.53 | $9.23 | $25.17 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.9% | +76.3% | +41.2% | +96.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 75.4 | 48.1 | 60.9 | 60.2 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 110K | 252K | 3.4M | 2.3M |
ALKS leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PRGO leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VRCA as "Buy", DBVT as "Buy", PRGO as "Hold", ALKS as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 131.8% upside for DBVT (target: $46) vs 24.3% for ALKS (target: $44). PRGO is the only dividend payer here at 9.81% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | DBVTDBV Technologies … | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ALKSAlkermes plc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $17.00 | $46.33 | $20.00 | $44.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 15 | 36 | 28 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | +9.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | $1.15 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +0.5% |
PRGO leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ALKS leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PRGO leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best OverallAlkermes plc (ALKS)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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VRCA vs DBVT vs PRGO vs ALKS: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VRCA) is the stronger pick with 370. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -5. 2% for Alkermes plc (ALKS). Alkermes plc (ALKS) offers the better valuation at 24. 8x trailing P/E, making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) a "Buy" — based on 10 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 — VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS?
Over the past 5 years, Alkermes plc (ALKS) delivered a total return of +60.
9%, compared to -92. 8% for Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ALKS returned -11. 0% versus VRCA's -95. 3%. 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 — VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Alkermes plc (ALKS) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
06β versus Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. 's 2. 19β — meaning VRCA is approximately 106% more volatile than ALKS relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Alkermes plc (ALKS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 4% versus 135% for Perrigo Company plc — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VRCA) is pulling ahead at 370. 2% versus -5. 2% for Alkermes plc (ALKS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. grew EPS 88. 6% year-over-year, compared to -723. 2% for Perrigo Company plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, VRCA leads at 57. 9% 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 — VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS?
Alkermes plc (ALKS) is the more profitable company, earning 16.
4% net margin versus -50. 3% for Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. — meaning it keeps 16. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ALKS leads at 17. 2% versus -33. 6% for VRCA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VRCA leads at 93. 8%, 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 VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DBVT: 131.
8% to $46. 33.
07Which pays a better dividend — VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS?
In this comparison, PRGO (9.
8% yield) pays a dividend. VRCA, DBVT, ALKS do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is VRCA or DBVT or PRGO or ALKS better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
18), 9. 8% yield). Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) carries a higher beta of 2. 19 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PRGO: -77. 7%, VRCA: -95. 3%), 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 VRCA and DBVT and PRGO and ALKS?
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: VRCA is a small-cap high-growth stock; DBVT is a mega-cap quality compounder stock; PRGO is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ALKS is a small-cap quality compounder stock. PRGO pays a dividend while VRCA, DBVT, ALKS 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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