A vs. BIIB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at A and BIIB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Agilent Technologies, Inc. | Biogen Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 40.15 billion USD | 22.59 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 18, 1999 | September 17, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of A and BIIB by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 10.33% | 9.97% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.75% | 18.38% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 24.16% | 16.68% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -2.03% | -16.63% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.33% | 9.97% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 5.41% | 0.74% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.95M | 1.96M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.82M | 1.54M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.89% | 37.69% |
| Beta | 1.27 | 0.12 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
A
19.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
A’s Return on Equity of 19.97% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
BIIB
9.04%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
BIIB’s Return on Equity of 9.04% is on par with the norm for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
A
17.97%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
A’s Net Profit Margin of 17.97% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
BIIB
15.31%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
BIIB’s Net Profit Margin of 15.31% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
A
21.26%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
A’s Operating Profit Margin of 21.26% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
BIIB
20.80%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
BIIB’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.97% | 9.04% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.14% | 5.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.97% | 15.31% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.26% | 20.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 52.92% | 75.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
A
2.25
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
A’s Current Ratio of 2.25 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BIIB
2.50
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.50 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
A
0.54
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54 is typical for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
BIIB
0.36
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
BIIB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.36 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
A
254.50
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 254.50, A demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
BIIB
4.35
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
BIIB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.35 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.25 | 2.50 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.71 | 1.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.54 | 0.36 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 254.50 | 4.35 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
A
0.70%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.70%, A offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
A
22.95%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.95% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.70% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.95% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
A
32.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
A’s P/E Ratio of 32.67 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
BIIB
14.78
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 14.78 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
A
5.87
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.87 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
BIIB
2.26
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.26 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
A
5.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
A’s P/B Ratio of 5.12 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
BIIB
1.04
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.59
BIIB’s P/B Ratio of 1.04 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 32.67 | 14.78 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.87 | 2.26 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.12 | 1.04 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.64 | 12.25 |