VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$142M
5Y Perf.-92.0%
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Stock Comparison
VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
NVCR
NovoCure Limited
Medical - Instruments & Supplies
Market Cap$1.92B
5Y Perf.-82.0%
NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1.69B
5Y Perf.-50.6%
DERM
Journey Medical Corporation
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$102M
5Y Perf.-36.8%
SKIN
The Beauty Health Company
Household & Personal Products
Market Cap$118M
5Y Perf.-96.5%
VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VRCA | NVCR | NKTR | DERM | SKIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Instruments & Supplies | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Household & Personal Products |
| Market Cap | $142M | $1.92B | $1.69B | $102M | $118M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $36M | $674M | $55M | $56M | $296M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-18M | $-173M | $-164M | $-9M | $-6M |
| Gross Margin | 93.8% | 75.2% | 99.6% | 67.5% | 64.9% |
| Operating Margin | -34.2% | -27.2% | -237.9% | -12.2% | -3.6% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | — | 69.0x | — |
| Total Debt | $2M | $290M | $149M | $26M | $379M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $30M | $103M | $15M | $20M | $233M |
VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VRCA
NVCR
NKTR
DERM
SKIN
| Stock | Nov 21 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verrica Pharmaceuti… (VRCA) | 100 | 8.0 | -92.0% |
| NovoCure Limited (NVCR) | 100 | 18.0 | -82.0% |
| Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR) | 100 | 49.4 | -50.6% |
| Journey Medical Cor… (DERM) | 100 | 63.2 | -36.8% |
| The Beauty Health C… (SKIN) | 100 | 3.5 | -96.5% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: SKIN leads in 2 of 6 categories (5-stock set), making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and operational efficiency and capital deployment. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion. NKTR and DERM also each lead in at least one category. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Growth Play
VRCA is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 370.2%, EPS growth 88.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 57.9%
- 370.2% revenue growth vs NKTR's -43.9%
Best for: growth exposure
NVCR
NovoCure Limited
The Healthcare Pick
Among these 5 stocks, NVCR doesn't own a clear edge in any measured category.
Best for: healthcare exposure
NKTR
Nektar Therapeutics
The Defensive Pick
NKTR ranks third and is worth considering specifically for sleep-well-at-night and defensive.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.85, current ratio 4.97x
- Beta 1.85, current ratio 4.97x
- +8.2% vs SKIN's -35.9%
Best for: sleep-well-at-night and defensive
DERM
Journey Medical Corporation
The Income Pick
DERM is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and long-term compounding.
- beta 1.82
- -47.4% 10Y total return vs NVCR's 30.3%
- Beta 1.82 vs NVCR's 2.20
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
SKIN
The Beauty Health Company
The Quality Compounder
SKIN carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for quality and efficiency.
- -2.0% margin vs NKTR's -297.1%
- -1.2% ROA vs NKTR's -62.8%, ROIC -6.8% vs -57.2%
Best for: quality and efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | VRCA | 370.2% revenue growth vs NKTR's -43.9% |
| Quality / Margins | SKIN | -2.0% margin vs NKTR's -297.1% |
| Stability / Safety | DERM | Beta 1.82 vs NVCR's 2.20 |
| Dividends | Tie | None of these 5 stocks pay a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | NKTR | +8.2% vs SKIN's -35.9% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | SKIN | -1.2% ROA vs NKTR's -62.8%, ROIC -6.8% vs -57.2% |
VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
FY 2024
FY 2025
VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 5 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLSKINLAGGINGDERM
Who Leads Where
SKIN leads in 3 of 6 categories
NKTR leads 1 • VRCA leads 0 • NVCR leads 0 • DERM leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓DERMJourney Medical Corpo…
0leads
NVCRNovoCure Limited
0leads
VRCAVerrica Pharmaceutica…
0leads
NKTRNektar Therapeutics
1leads
SKINThe Beauty Health Com…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs NKTRvs VRCAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
SKIN3/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
SKIN2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
SKIN6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
NKTR4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
—
—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SKIN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVCR is the larger business by revenue, generating $674M annually — 19.0x VRCA's $36M. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from -2.0% (SKIN) to -3.0% (NKTR). On growth, VRCA holds the edge at +13.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $36M | $674M | $55M | $56M | $296M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$11M | -$165M | -$130M | -$3M | $9M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$18M | -$173M | -$164M | -$9M | -$6M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18M | -$48M | -$209M | -$3M | $29M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +93.8% | +75.2% | +99.6% | +67.5% | +64.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -34.2% | -27.2% | -2.4% | -12.2% | -3.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -50.3% | -25.7% | -3.0% | -15.5% | -2.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -49.5% | -7.1% | -3.8% | -4.8% | +9.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.8% | +12.3% | -25.3% | +1.0% | -6.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +73.4% | -100.0% | -4.5% | +5.9% | +38.0% |
SKIN leads this category, winning 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
SKIN leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $142M | $1.9B | $1.7B | $102M | $118M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $113M | $2.1B | $1.8B | $108M | $264M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.90x | -13.80x | -8.57x | -6.94x | -5.69x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | — | 68.97x | — |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | — | — | — | 7331.15x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.98x | 2.92x | 30.64x | 1.82x | 0.39x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.55x | 5.51x | 15.66x | 5.09x | 2.02x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — | — | — | 3.17x |
SKIN leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SKIN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
SKIN delivers a -9.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $-9 in annual profit, vs $-4 for NKTR. VRCA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SKIN's 6.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SKIN scores 7/9 vs DERM's 2/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.4% | -50.8% | -4.0% | -45.4% | -9.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -42.3% | -16.5% | -62.8% | -10.8% | -1.2% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -16.4% | -57.2% | -56.8% | -6.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -42.8% | -28.9% | -55.7% | -34.2% | -4.5% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.07x | 0.85x | 1.66x | 1.28x | 6.20x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$29M | $187M | $134M | $5M | $146M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $30M | $103M | $15M | $20M | $233M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $290M | $149M | $26M | $379M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.33x | -96.80x | -4.74x | -1.52x | 0.81x |
SKIN leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NKTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in DERM five years ago would be worth $5,263 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $707 for SKIN. Over the past 12 months, NKTR leads with a +818.2% total return vs SKIN's -35.9%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NKTR at 93.3% vs SKIN's -56.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.7% | +28.3% | +92.0% | -32.9% | -35.0% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +101.5% | +1.1% | +818.2% | -28.1% | -35.9% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.6% | -75.7% | +621.8% | +203.0% | -91.7% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -92.8% | -91.3% | -72.3% | -47.4% | -92.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.3% | +30.3% | -59.1% | -47.4% | -91.6% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -50.1% | -37.6% | +93.3% | +44.7% | -56.4% |
NKTR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VRCA and DERM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
DERM is the less volatile stock with a 1.82 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NVCR's 2.20 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VRCA currently trades 83.9% from its 52-week high vs SKIN's 33.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.19x | 2.20x | 1.85x | 1.82x | 2.00x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.82 | $20.06 | $109.00 | $9.55 | $2.69 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.28 | $9.82 | $7.99 | $4.31 | $0.76 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.9% | +83.9% | +76.5% | +52.3% | +33.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 75.4 | 69.8 | 53.4 | 44.3 | 52.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 110K | 1.5M | 991K | 230K | 760K |
Evenly matched — VRCA and DERM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VRCA as "Buy", NVCR as "Buy", NKTR as "Buy", DERM as "Buy", SKIN as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 135.0% upside for DERM (target: $12) vs 42.9% for SKIN (target: $1).
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | NVCRNovoCure Limited | NKTRNektar Therapeuti… | DERMJourney Medical C… | SKINThe Beauty Health… |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $17.00 | $33.50 | $132.83 | $11.75 | $1.30 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 15 | 33 | 3 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | — | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | — | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
SKIN leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). NKTR leads in 1 (Total Returns). 1 tied.
Best OverallThe Beauty Health Company (SKIN)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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VRCA vs NVCR vs NKTR vs DERM vs SKIN: Key Questions Answered
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VRCA or NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN 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 -43. 9% for Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR). 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 NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN?
Over the past 5 years, Journey Medical Corporation (DERM) delivered a total return of -47.
4%, compared to -92. 9% for The Beauty Health Company (SKIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVCR returned +30. 3% 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 NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Journey Medical Corporation (DERM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
82β versus NovoCure Limited's 2. 20β — meaning NVCR is approximately 21% more volatile than DERM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 6% for The Beauty Health Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — VRCA or NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VRCA) is pulling ahead at 370. 2% versus -43. 9% for Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. grew EPS 88. 6% year-over-year, compared to -242. 9% for Journey Medical Corporation. 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 NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN?
The Beauty Health Company (SKIN) is the more profitable company, earning -3.
2% net margin versus -297. 1% for Nektar Therapeutics — meaning it keeps -3. 2% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SKIN leads at -6. 9% versus -236. 8% for NKTR. 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 VRCA or NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for DERM: 135.
0% to $11. 75.
07Which pays a better dividend — VRCA or NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN?
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 VRCA or NVCR or NKTR or DERM or SKIN better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Journey Medical Corporation (DERM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding.
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 (DERM: -47. 4%, 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 NVCR and NKTR and DERM and SKIN?
These companies operate in different sectors (VRCA (Healthcare) and NVCR (Healthcare) and NKTR (Healthcare) and DERM (Healthcare) and SKIN (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: VRCA is a small-cap high-growth stock; NVCR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; NKTR is a small-cap quality compounder stock; DERM is a small-cap quality compounder stock; SKIN is a small-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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