ABT vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ABT and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Abbott Laboratories | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 230.51 billion USD | 17.72 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ABT 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 | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.44% | 0.07% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -2.29% | 13.42% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 0.49% | 23.74% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 18.36% | -18.33% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.95% | 2.98% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 17.09% | -24.78% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.80M | 0.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.66M | 0.75M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.22% | 53.57% |
| Beta | 0.70 | 1.06 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ABT
29.93%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
In the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s Return on Equity of 29.93% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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)
ABT
32.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
ABT’s Net Profit Margin of 32.43% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
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)
ABT
17.34%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
ABT’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.34% is around the midpoint for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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 | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.93% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 17.41% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.43% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.34% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 56.20% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ABT
1.82
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.86
ABT’s Current Ratio of 1.82 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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)
ABT
0.27
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
ABT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.27 is typical for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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)
ABT
38.30
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
ABT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.30 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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 | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.27 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 38.30 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ABT
1.73%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABT’s Dividend Yield of 1.73% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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)
ABT
28.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 28.42% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.73% | 0.35% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 28.42% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ABT
16.47
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, ABT’s P/E Ratio of 16.47 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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)
ABT
5.34
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
ABT’s P/S Ratio of 5.34 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
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)
ABT
4.68
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
ABT’s P/B Ratio of 4.68 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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.
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 | ABT | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.47 | 35.08 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.34 | 5.78 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.68 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 33.99 | 49.74 |