ABBV vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ABBV and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABBV | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AbbVie Inc. | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 367.55 billion USD | 17.69 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 2013 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ABBV and WST 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 | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.69% | 1.38% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.03% | 16.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 2.96% | 16.62% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 5.38% | -18.95% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.07% | 2.80% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 17.09% | -24.91% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.57M | 0.50M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.15M | 0.72M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 19.41% | 53.35% |
| Beta | 0.49 | 1.06 |
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.
WST
17.66%
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, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% 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
- 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.
WST
16.48%
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 16.48% places WST in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
WST
19.65%
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 19.65% places WST 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 95.59% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 2.73% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.45% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.80% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 70.93% | 35.27% |
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.
WST
2.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 is in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
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.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
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.
WST
130.12
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 130.12, WST 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.74 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.48 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 49.22 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.70 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
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.
WST
0.35%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
WST
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.11% | 0.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 226.84% | 12.32% |
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.
WST
35.08
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
WST’s P/E Ratio of 35.08 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
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.
WST
5.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
WST’s P/S Ratio of 5.78 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.
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.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 96.80 | 35.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.24 | 5.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 261.01 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 19.97 | 49.74 |