ABBV vs. ELAN: AbbVie vs. Elanco Animal Health Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ABBV is classified in Biotechnology while ELAN is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Profile Item	ABBV	ELAN
Name	AbbVie Inc.	Elanco Animal Health Incorporated
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Pharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-Industry	Biotechnology	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	514.92 billion USD	12.86 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 2013	September 20, 2018
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ABBV

ELAN

GSPC

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Total Return (1Y)	37.33%	24.03%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	32.74%	37.47%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	24.73%	-4.24%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ABBV

ELAN

GSPC

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has an aggressive beta of 1.65, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while AbbVie (ABBV) is defensive at 0.21 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Risk profile metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	25.65%	43.57%
Beta (5Y)	0.21	1.65
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-21.92%	-75.59%
Avg. Volume (3M)	4.76M	5.65M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

ABBV and ELAN are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.29	0.45
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	2.02	0.66

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Neither AbbVie (ABBV) nor Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports a ROE value for this period, so a direct comparison isn’t possible.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

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

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

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

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): Neither stock reports ROE, so the chart shows available benchmark boxes without value markers.

Net Margin (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports a negative net margin of -2.86%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile AbbVie (ABBV) reports 15.67%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

15.67%

Max: 18.05%
ABBV: 15.67%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-2.86%

Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
ELAN: -2.86%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

AbbVie (ABBV) at 39.59% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.64%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

39.59%

Max: 83.12%
ABBV: 39.59%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.64%

Max: 83.12%
Q3: 14.77%
ELAN: 6.64%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
ROE (TTM)	--	--
ROA (TTM)	10.74%	--
Net Margin (TTM)	15.67%	-2.86%
Operating Margin (TTM)	39.59%	6.64%
Gross Margin (TTM)	73.72%	56.18%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both AbbVie (ABBV) at 8.57% and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.22% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

AbbVie (ABBV) at -0.84% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at -169.12% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Revenue Growth (YoY)	8.57%	6.22%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	1.75%	2.25%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-0.84%	-169.12%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-29.03%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: AbbVie (ABBV) shows current ratio of 0.87 against its industry benchmark, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no reading this period.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.87

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
ABBV: 0.87
Min: 0.10

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
Min: 0.10
ELAN: --

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ELAN does not report current ratio, so it has no value marker; ABBV is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Only one side’s leverage can be read here: Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64 against its industry range, while AbbVie (ABBV) reports no figure this period.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00
ABBV: --

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.64

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
ELAN: 0.64
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ABBV does not report debt-to-equity ratio, so it has no value marker; ELAN is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.87	--
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	--	0.64
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.21	3.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile AbbVie (ABBV) reports a yield of 2.40%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.40%

ABBV: 2.40%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AbbVie (ABBV) reports payout ratio above 100% at 117.35%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

117.35%

ABBV: 117.35%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.40%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	117.35%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: AbbVie (ABBV) trades at 50.05 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no P/E ratio this period.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

50.05

Max: 85.34
ABBV: 50.05
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07
ELAN: --

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ELAN does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; ABBV is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 2.50 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while AbbVie (ABBV) at 7.80 prices around its industry’s middle — ELAN costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.80

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
ABBV: 7.80
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.50

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
ELAN: 2.50
Min: 0.01

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

AbbVie (ABBV) reports a negative P/B ratio of -112.34, meaning negative book equity — the multiple itself is not meaningful for valuation. Meanwhile Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports 1.95, ranking against industry peers normally.

ABBV

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-112.34

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59
ABBV: -112.34

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.95

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
ELAN: 1.95
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

AbbVie (ABBV) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for AbbVie (ABBV) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Metric	ABBV	ELAN
P/E Ratio (TTM)	50.05	--
P/S Ratio (TTM)	7.80	2.50
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	-112.34	1.95
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.44%	--