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 | 33.83 billion USD | 20.38 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 | -0.15% | 3.00% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 5.57% | 7.38% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -13.01% | 0.39% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -14.23% | -32.55% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.62% | 8.59% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -10.59% | -9.11% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.08M | 1.42M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.89M | 1.49M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.93% | 31.01% |
| Beta | 1.27 | 0.09 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
A
19.46%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, A’s Return on Equity of 19.46% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BIIB
9.04%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
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
17.59%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 17.59% places A in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BIIB
15.31%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
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
21.36%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.36% places A in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
BIIB
20.80%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.80% places BIIB in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | A | BIIB |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.46% | 9.04% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.94% | 5.43% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.59% | 15.31% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.36% | 20.80% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 53.77% | 75.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
A
2.09
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
A’s Current Ratio of 2.09 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
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.50 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
A
0.57
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
A’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.57 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
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- 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
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- 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
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
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) | 2.09 | 2.50 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.60 | 1.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.57 | 0.36 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 254.50 | 4.35 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
A
0.82%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.82%, 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
23.76%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
A’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 23.76% 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) | 0.82% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.76% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
A
29.14
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
A’s P/E Ratio of 29.14 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
13.27
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 13.27 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
A
5.13
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
A’s P/S Ratio of 5.13 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
2.03
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.03 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
5.00
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
A’s P/B Ratio of 5.00 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
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- 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) | 29.14 | 13.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.13 | 2.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.00 | 1.04 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 28.58 | 11.00 |