WVE
Wave Life Sciences Ltd.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$1.12B
5Y Perf.-44.2%
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Side-by-side financial analysisWVE
LLY
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Stock Comparison
WVE vs LLY
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
LLY
Eli Lilly and Company
Drug Manufacturers - General
Market Cap$1.10T
5Y Perf.+573.3%
WVE vs LLY — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot |  WVE |  LLY |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| Market Cap | $1.12B | $1.10T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $72M | $72.25B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-184M | $25.27B |
| Gross Margin | 93.8% | 83.5% |
| Operating Margin | -274.2% | 45.9% |
| Forward P/E | — | 31.7x |
| Total Debt | $18M | $42.50B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $602M | $7.16B |
WVE vs LLY — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
WVE
LLY
| Stock | Jun 20 | Jun 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wave Life Sciences … (WVE) | 100 | 55.8 | -44.2% |
| Eli Lilly and Compa… (LLY) | 100 | 673.3 | +573.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: WVE vs LLY
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: LLY leads in 6 of 6 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
🥇LLY emerged as the overall leader. Track its performance:
WVE
Wave Life Sciences Ltd.
The Defensive Pick
WVE is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 1.82, Low D/E 3.4%, current ratio 6.47x
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
LLY
Eli Lilly and Company
The Income Pick
LLY carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 11 yrs, beta 0.53, yield 0.5%
- Rev growth 44.7%, EPS growth 96.0%, 3Y rev CAGR 31.7%
- 15.2% 10Y total return vs WVE's -62.8%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth |  LLY | 44.7% revenue growth vs WVE's -60.5% |
| Quality / Margins | LLY | 35.0% margin vs WVE's -255.7% |
| Stability / Safety | LLY | Beta 0.53 vs WVE's 1.82 |
| Dividends | LLY | 0.5% yield; 11-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | LLY | +44.4% vs WVE's -19.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | LLY | 22.7% ROA vs WVE's -42.8% |
WVE vs LLY — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
WVE vs LLY — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLLLYLAGGINGWVE
WVEWave Life Sciences Lt…
1leads
LLYEli Lilly and Company
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs WVEMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
LLY4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
WVE2/3
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
LLY4/7
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
LLY6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
LLY2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
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—
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
LLY is the larger business by revenue, generating $72.2B annually — 1006.3x WVE's $72M. LLY is the more profitable business, keeping 35.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to WVE's -2.6%. On growth, WVE holds the edge at +3.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $72M | $72.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$188M | $34.7B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$184M | $25.3B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$183M | $13.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +93.8% | +83.5% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -2.7% | +45.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +35.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -2.6% | +18.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.2% | +55.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +55.2% | +169.9% |
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
WVE leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.1B | $1.10T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $533M | $1.13T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.80x | 50.59x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | 31.74x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.76x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 36.22x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 26.16x | 16.83x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 39.29x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 122.26x |
WVE leads this category, winning 2 of 3 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
LLY delivers a 101.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $101 in annual profit, vs $-56 for WVE. WVE carries lower financial leverage with a 0.03x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to LLY's 1.60x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), LLY scores 8/9 vs WVE's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -56.4% | +101.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -42.8% | +22.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | +41.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -54.9% | +46.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.03x | 1.60x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$584M | $35.3B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $602M | $7.2B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $18M | $42.5B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 35.68x |
LLY leads this category, winning 4 of 7 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
LLY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in LLY five years ago would be worth $52,914 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,025 for WVE. Over the past 12 months, LLY leads with a +44.4% total return vs WVE's -19.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors LLY at 38.3% vs WVE's 11.6% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -63.6% | +7.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -19.2% | +44.4% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +39.0% | +164.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -19.8% | +429.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -62.8% | +1522.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +11.6% | +38.3% |
LLY leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LLY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
LLY is the less volatile stock with a 0.53 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than WVE's 1.82 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. LLY currently trades 98.2% from its 52-week high vs WVE's 26.7% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.82x | 0.53x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $21.73 | $1182.73 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.02 | $623.78 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +26.7% | +98.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 34.2 | 66.8 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.7M | 2.6M |
LLY leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates WVE as "Buy" and LLY as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 354.0% upside for WVE (target: $26) vs 9.1% for LLY (target: $1266). LLY is the only dividend payer here at 0.52% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | WVEWave Life Science… | LLYEli Lilly and Com… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $26.38 | $1266.17 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 25 | 45 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.5% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | 11 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $6.00 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.4% |
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Key Takeaway
LLY leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). WVE leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics).
Best OverallEli Lilly and Company (LLY)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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WVE vs LLY: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is WVE or LLY a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the stronger pick with 44.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -60. 5% for Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE). Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) offers the better valuation at 50. 6x trailing P/E (31. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE) a "Buy" — based on 25 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 — WVE or LLY?
Over the past 5 years, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) delivered a total return of +429.
1%, compared to -19. 8% for Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LLY returned +1522% versus WVE's -62. 8%. 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 — WVE or LLY?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the lower-risk stock at 0.
53β versus Wave Life Sciences Ltd. 's 1. 82β — meaning WVE is approximately 241% more volatile than LLY relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 3% versus 160% for Eli Lilly and Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
04Which is growing faster — WVE or LLY?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is pulling ahead at 44.
7% versus -60. 5% for Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Eli Lilly and Company grew EPS 96. 0% year-over-year, compared to -72. 9% for Wave Life Sciences Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, WVE leads at 127. 1% 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 — WVE or LLY?
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the more profitable company, earning 31.
7% net margin versus -478. 3% for Wave Life Sciences Ltd. — meaning it keeps 31. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: LLY leads at 45. 6% versus -504. 1% for WVE. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LLY leads at 83. 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 WVE or LLY more undervalued right now?
Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for WVE: 354.
0% to $26. 38.
07Which pays a better dividend — WVE or LLY?
In this comparison, LLY (0.
5% yield) pays a dividend. WVE does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
08Is WVE or LLY better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.
53), 0. 5% yield, +1522% 10Y return). Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE) carries a higher beta of 1. 82 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (LLY: +1522%, WVE: -62. 8%), 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 WVE and LLY?
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: WVE is a small-cap quality compounder stock; LLY is a mega-cap high-growth stock. LLY pays a dividend while WVE does 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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