ABBV vs. IQV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ABBV and IQV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AbbVie Inc. | IQVIA Holdings Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 408.50 billion USD | 34.10 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 2013 | May 9, 2013 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ABBV and IQV 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 | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.25% | -1.83% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 21.31% | 23.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 14.68% | 19.63% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.44% | -10.99% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.13% | 5.61% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 30.13% | 2.08% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.42M | 1.49M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.67M | 1.79M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.99% | 48.37% |
| Beta | 0.36 | 1.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ABBV
95.59%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ABBV’s Return on Equity of 95.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
IQV
19.96%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 19.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
6.45%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
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.
IQV
7.88%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 7.88% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
18.80%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
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.
IQV
13.85%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 95.59% | 19.96% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.73% | 4.50% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.45% | 7.88% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.80% | 13.85% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.93% | 34.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
0.74
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
ABBV’s Current Ratio of 0.74 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.
IQV
0.84
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.84 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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)
ABBV
49.22
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- 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.
IQV
2.68
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.68, IQV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
2.70
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
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.
IQV
3.68
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
IQV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.68 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 0.84 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.48 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 49.22 | 2.68 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.70 | 3.68 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ABBV
2.76%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABBV’s Dividend Yield of 2.76% 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.
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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)
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.
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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 | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.76% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 226.84% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
109.30
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
At 109.30, 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.
IQV
27.64
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
IQV’s P/E Ratio of 27.64 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
7.05
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
ABBV’s P/S Ratio of 7.05 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.
IQV
2.18
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 2.18 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)
ABBV
261.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- 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.
IQV
4.72
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
IQV’s P/B Ratio of 4.72 is within the conventional range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 109.30 | 27.64 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.05 | 2.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 261.01 | 4.72 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.55 | 17.01 |