IQVIA (IQV) Stock Analysis

November 11, 2026

This is a peer-relative look at IQVIA (IQV): 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 IQVIA (IQV)
Profile Item	IQV
Name	IQVIA Holdings Inc.
Country/Region	United States
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	44.80 billion USD
Currency	USD
Exchange	NYSE
Listing Date	May 9, 2013
Security Type	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

IQV

GSPC

IQVIA (IQV) 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 IQVIA (IQV) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
Total Return (1Y)	32.11%	24.62%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	13.15%	20.37%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	2.00%	-4.02%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

IQV

GSPC

IQVIA (IQV) 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 IQVIA (IQV) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	40.77%	66.36%
Beta (5Y)	1.14	0.93
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-51.52%	-80.19%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. IQV 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

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.68	0.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.03	0.58

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

IQVIA (IQV) posts ROE of 21.39%, in the upper peer quartile. That suggests the company earns more from each dollar of shareholders’ equity than most industry peers, a useful capital-efficiency signal.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.39%

Group distribution

Max: 109.18%
IQV: 21.39%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Largest peers

LLY: 86.02%
NVS: 24.33%
AZN: 22.57%
IQV: 21.39%
JNJ: 20.02%
MRK: 5.06%
ABBV: --

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

IQVIA (IQV) keeps 8.05% 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.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.05%

Group distribution

Max: 18.05%
IQV: 8.05%
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%
IQV: 8.05%
MRK: 3.64%

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

IQVIA (IQV) turns 13.73% 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.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.73%

Group distribution

Max: 83.12%
Q3: 14.77%
IQV: 13.73%
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%
IQV: 13.73%

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
ROE (TTM)	21.39%	-26.66%
ROA (TTM)	5.08%	-12.50%
Net Margin (TTM)	8.05%	0.00%
Operating Margin (TTM)	13.73%	0.00%
Gross Margin (TTM)	33.07%	37.87%

Growth

Revenue Growth

IQVIA (IQV) grew revenue 5.87%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

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

EPS Growth

IQVIA (IQV) grew earnings per share 4.67%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Bottom-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

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

Growth Metrics

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)	5.87%	11.45%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	4.21%	9.94%
EPS Growth (YoY)	4.67%	4.28%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	11.08%	4.17%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

IQVIA (IQV) has current ratio of 0.83, 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.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.83

Group distribution

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
IQV: 0.83
Min: 0.10

Largest peers

LLY: 1.39
MRK: 1.35
JNJ: 1.02
AZN: 1.01
NVS: 0.88
ABBV: 0.87
IQV: 0.83

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

IQVIA (IQV) has debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40, above the industry benchmark range. Debt sits unusually high against shareholders’ equity, leaving the balance sheet more exposed to rate, refinancing, or earnings shocks.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.40

Group distribution

IQV: 2.40
Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Largest peers

IQV: 2.40
NVS: 1.29
LLY: 1.23
MRK: 1.20
AZN: 0.66
JNJ: 0.55
ABBV: --

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	5.52
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	2.40	0.15
Net Debt / EBITDA	4.46	1.08

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

IQVIA (IQV) 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.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Group distribution

IQV: 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%
IQV: 0.00%

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

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

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Group distribution

IQV: 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%
IQV: 0.00%

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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

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

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

IQVIA (IQV) trades at P/E ratio of 33.07, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.07

Group distribution

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
IQV: 33.07
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Largest peers

MRK: 148.21
ABBV: 50.05
LLY: 43.95
JNJ: 41.92
IQV: 33.07
NVS: 31.02
AZN: 26.37

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

IQVIA (IQV) trades at 2.59 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.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.59

Group distribution

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
IQV: 2.59
Min: 0.01

Largest peers

LLY: 13.95
ABBV: 7.80
JNJ: 6.69
MRK: 5.37
NVS: 5.35
AZN: 4.63
IQV: 2.59

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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)

IQVIA (IQV) trades at 6.73 on P/B ratio, in the higher book-value quartile. The market is paying a premium to book, so stronger ROE, cleaner assets, or a better growth profile need to justify it.

IQV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.73

Group distribution

Max: 13.53
IQV: 6.73
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Largest peers

LLY: 29.96
NVS: 8.25
JNJ: 8.16
MRK: 8.06
IQV: 6.73
AZN: 5.59
ABBV: -112.34

Where IQVIA (IQV) 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

IQVIA (IQV) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
Metric	Current stock: IQV	Industry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)	33.07	26.69
P/S Ratio (TTM)	2.59	7.30
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	6.73	3.25
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	4.72%	-1.66%