ABBV vs. HSBC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ABBV and HSBC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ABBV is a standard domestic listing, while HSBC trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
Company Name	AbbVie Inc.	HSBC Holdings plc
Country	United States	United Kingdom
GICS Sector	Health Care	Financials
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Banks
Market Capitalization	369.48 billion USD	226.88 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 2013	July 16, 1999
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ABBV and HSBC 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.

ABBV vs. HSBC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
5-Day Price Return	2.18%	-1.12%
13-Week Price Return	12.62%	6.24%
26-Week Price Return	8.12%	7.85%
52-Week Price Return	6.24%	44.56%
Month-to-Date Return	10.65%	2.37%
Year-to-Date Return	17.70%	20.30%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.64M	13.79M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.39M	18.07M
3-Month Volatility	19.56%	16.86%
Beta	0.49	0.07

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ABBV

95.59%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 77.14%
Q3: 10.76%
Median: -20.08%
Q1: -42.71%
Min: -119.20%

ABBV’s Return on Equity of 95.59% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

HSBC

13.86%

Banks Industry

Max: 26.37%
Q3: 15.92%
Median: 12.25%
Q1: 8.69%
Min: 0.15%

HSBC’s Return on Equity of 13.86% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

6.45%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 59.44%
Q3: 16.21%
Median: -11.49%
Q1: -167.42%
Min: -409.07%

ABBV’s Net Profit Margin of 6.45% 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.

HSBC

34.16%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.70%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.53%
Min: 6.98%

HSBC’s Net Profit Margin of 34.16% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Banks industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

18.80%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 60.62%
Q3: 20.76%
Median: -12.41%
Q1: -181.14%
Min: -482.02%

ABBV’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

HSBC

40.44%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.59%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 13.37%

HSBC’s Operating Profit Margin of 40.44% is around the midpoint for the Banks industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
Return on Equity (TTM)	95.59%	13.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.73%	0.85%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	6.45%	34.16%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.80%	40.44%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.93%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

0.74

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 19.31
Q3: 9.38
Median: 4.54
Q1: 2.45
Min: 0.76

ABBV’s Current Ratio of 0.74 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

49.22

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.35
Q3: 0.64
Median: 0.09
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 49.22, ABBV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

HSBC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.62
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

2.70

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.91
Median: -7.81
Q1: -63.90
Min: -153.80

ABBV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.70 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

HSBC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.74	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.48	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	49.22	1.91
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.70	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

ABBV vs. HSBC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ABBV vs. HSBC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ABBV

3.11%

Biotechnology Industry

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

ABBV’s Dividend Yield of 3.11% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

HSBC

6.14%

Banks Industry

Max: 10.27%
Q3: 5.83%
Median: 3.81%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 6.14%, HSBC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Banks industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

226.84%

Biotechnology Industry

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

At 226.84%, ABBV’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

HSBC

71.79%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

HSBC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 71.79% is within the typical range for the Banks industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.11%	6.14%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	226.84%	71.79%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

96.80

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 60.14
Q3: 38.17
Median: 29.01
Q1: 15.12
Min: 0.00

At 96.80, ABBV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

HSBC

8.44

Banks Industry

Max: 20.05
Q3: 12.65
Median: 10.21
Q1: 7.54
Min: 2.74

HSBC’s P/E Ratio of 8.44 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

6.24

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 76.98
Q3: 36.53
Median: 9.49
Q1: 4.49
Min: 0.00

ABBV’s P/S Ratio of 6.24 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

HSBC

1.74

Banks Industry

Max: 5.06
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

261.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 20.53
Q3: 9.76
Median: 4.77
Q1: 2.49
Min: 0.59

At 261.01, ABBV’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

HSBC

1.08

Banks Industry

Max: 2.18
Q3: 1.36
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.20

HSBC’s P/B Ratio of 1.08 is within the conventional range for the Banks industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ABBV vs. HSBC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	HSBC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	96.80	8.44
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.24	1.74
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	261.01	1.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.97	4.65