ICON (ICLR) Stock Analysis

November 11, 2026

This is a peer-relative look at ICON (ICLR): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

Company profile fields for ICON (ICLR)
Profile Item	ICLR
Name	ICON plc
Country/Region	Ireland
GICS Sector	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization	15.34 billion USD
Currency	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq
Listing Date	May 15, 1998
Security Type	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ICLR

GSPC

ICON (ICLR) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for ICON (ICLR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for ICON (ICLR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Total Return (1Y)	30.55%	24.62%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	-6.05%	20.37%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-5.40%	-4.02%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ICLR

GSPC

ICON (ICLR) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for ICON (ICLR) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	68.62%	66.36%
Beta (5Y)	1.17	0.93
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-76.87%	-80.19%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. ICLR is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.38	0.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.52	0.58

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) posts ROE of 4.70%, roughly around the peer group’s normal range. Shareholders’ equity is producing a return that looks broadly typical for the industry.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.70%

Group distribution

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
ICLR: 4.70%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Largest peers

LLY: 86.02%
NVS: 24.33%
AZN: 22.57%
JNJ: 20.02%
MRK: 5.06%
ICLR: 4.70%
ABBV: --

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on ROE within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) keeps 5.26% of revenue as net profit, putting net margin in the upper peer quartile. After operating costs, interest, and taxes, more of each sales dollar reaches shareholders than it does at most industry peers.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.26%

Group distribution

Max: 18.05%
ICLR: 5.26%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Largest peers

LLY: 31.90%
AZN: 17.68%
NVS: 17.49%
JNJ: 16.20%
ABBV: 15.67%
ICLR: 5.26%
MRK: 3.64%

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on net margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) turns 10.73% of revenue into operating profit, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal operating margin range. Its core cost structure looks typical for the industry.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.73%

Group distribution

Max: 83.12%
Q3: 14.77%
ICLR: 10.73%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Largest peers

LLY: 53.66%
ABBV: 39.59%
MRK: 35.22%
NVS: 34.27%
AZN: 29.57%
JNJ: 25.74%
ICLR: 10.73%

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on operating margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
ROE (TTM)	4.70%	-26.66%
ROA (TTM)	0.85%	-12.50%
Net Margin (TTM)	5.26%	0.00%
Operating Margin (TTM)	10.73%	0.00%
Gross Margin (TTM)	23.44%	37.87%

Growth

Revenue Growth

ICON (ICLR) grew revenue 0.76%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

ICON (ICLR): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

ICON (ICLR) grew earnings per share -71.56%, in the lower peer quartile. Per-share profits are advancing more slowly than at most peers, so margins, costs, or share count deserve a closer look.

ICON (ICLR): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)	0.76%	11.45%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	2.15%	9.94%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-71.56%	4.28%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-23.82%	4.17%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ICON (ICLR) has current ratio of 1.32, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.32

Group distribution

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
ICLR: 1.32
Min: 0.10

Largest peers

LLY: 1.39
MRK: 1.35
ICLR: 1.32
JNJ: 1.02
AZN: 1.01
NVS: 0.88
ABBV: 0.87

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on current ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

ICON (ICLR) has debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, roughly in line with the peer group’s normal leverage range. Its mix of debt and equity looks typical for the industry.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.38

Group distribution

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
ICLR: 0.38
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Largest peers

NVS: 1.29
LLY: 1.23
MRK: 1.20
AZN: 0.66
JNJ: 0.55
ICLR: 0.38
ABBV: --

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.32	5.52
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.38	0.15
Net Debt / EBITDA	5.55	1.08

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) pays no dividend, leaving dividend yield at 0.00% this period. Shareholders may still receive value through reinvestment or buybacks, but there is no dividend income to compare here.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Group distribution

ICLR: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

NVS: 2.88%
ABBV: 2.40%
MRK: 2.29%
JNJ: 1.94%
AZN: 1.73%
LLY: 0.49%
ICLR: 0.00%

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on dividend yield within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) paid no earnings out as dividends this period, leaving payout ratio at 0.00%. There is no dividend payout to size against earnings.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Group distribution

ICLR: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Largest peers

MRK: 343.43%
ABBV: 117.35%
NVS: 90.46%
JNJ: 80.12%
AZN: 45.38%
LLY: 21.71%
ICLR: 0.00%

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on payout ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) trades at P/E ratio of 81.90, in the richer earnings-multiple quartile for its industry. That premium needs support from growth, durable earnings, or stronger business quality.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

81.90

Group distribution

Max: 85.34
ICLR: 81.90
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Largest peers

MRK: 148.21
ICLR: 81.90
ABBV: 50.05
LLY: 43.95
JNJ: 41.92
NVS: 31.02
AZN: 26.37

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on P/E ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) trades at 1.86 on P/S ratio, in the lower sales-valuation quartile for its industry. That points to a cheaper revenue stream than most peers, with margin quality still doing the heavy lifting.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.86

Group distribution

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
ICLR: 1.86
Min: 0.01

Largest peers

LLY: 13.95
ABBV: 7.80
JNJ: 6.69
MRK: 5.37
NVS: 5.35
AZN: 4.63
ICLR: 1.86

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on P/S ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

ICON (ICLR) trades at 1.68 on P/B ratio, in the lower book-value quartile for its industry. Investors are paying less for the balance-sheet equity than they pay for most peers, with returns on that equity still central to the read.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.68

Group distribution

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
ICLR: 1.68
Min: -5.59

Largest peers

LLY: 29.96
NVS: 8.25
JNJ: 8.16
MRK: 8.06
AZN: 5.59
ICLR: 1.68
ABBV: -112.34

Where ICON (ICLR) stands on P/B ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

ICON (ICLR) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: ICLR	Industry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)	81.90	26.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)	1.86	7.30
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	1.68	3.25
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.51%	-1.66%