AKRO vs. ASND: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 11, 2025

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

Company Profile

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

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
Company Name	Akero Therapeutics, Inc.	Ascendis Pharma A/S
Country	United States	Denmark
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	3.72 billion USD	12.72 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	June 20, 2019	January 28, 2015
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AKRO and ASND 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
5-Day Price Return	0.17%	4.56%
13-Week Price Return	-9.07%	19.59%
26-Week Price Return	16.25%	40.00%
52-Week Price Return	73.79%	51.02%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.09%	5.69%
Year-to-Date Return	67.11%	52.63%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.99M	0.47M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.22M	0.46M
3-Month Volatility	40.78%	31.37%
Beta	-0.47	0.44

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AKRO

-31.57%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

AKRO has a negative Return on Equity of -31.57%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

ASND

-257.14%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

ASND has a negative Return on Equity of -257.14%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AKRO

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

Net Profit Margin data for AKRO is currently unavailable.

ASND

-55.25%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

ASND has a negative Net Profit Margin of -55.25%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AKRO

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

Operating Profit Margin data for AKRO is currently unavailable.

ASND

-51.66%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

ASND has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -51.66%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
Return on Equity (TTM)	-31.57%	-257.14%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-29.06%	-24.52%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	--	-55.25%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	--	-51.66%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	84.88%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AKRO

12.66

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

AKRO’s Current Ratio of 12.66 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

ASND

1.02

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

ASND’s Current Ratio of 1.02 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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AKRO

0.03

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

AKRO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.03 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ASND

7.81

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.81, ASND 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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AKRO

-150.39

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

AKRO has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -150.39. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

ASND

-4.54

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

ASND has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.54. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
Current Ratio (MRQ)	12.66	1.02
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	12.29	0.66
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.03	7.81
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-150.39	-4.54

Growth

Revenue Growth

AKRO vs. ASND: 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

AKRO vs. ASND: 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)

AKRO

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

AKRO 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.

ASND

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

ASND 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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AKRO

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

AKRO 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.

ASND

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

ASND 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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AKRO

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

P/E Ratio data for AKRO is currently unavailable.

ASND

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

P/E Ratio data for ASND is currently unavailable.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AKRO

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

P/S Ratio data for AKRO is currently unavailable.

ASND

22.27

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

ASND’s P/S Ratio of 22.27 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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AKRO

4.15

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

AKRO’s P/B Ratio of 4.15 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology 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.

ASND

67.91

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

At 67.91, ASND’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.

AKRO vs. ASND: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AKRO	ASND
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	--	22.27
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.15	67.91
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	--	--