ALC vs. IQV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and IQV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | IQVIA Holdings Inc. |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 38.09 billion USD | 37.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 9, 2019 | May 9, 2013 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC 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 | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.70% | 3.55% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.73% | 15.45% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -22.10% | 46.41% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -24.55% | 4.30% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.18% | 1.92% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -19.77% | 12.26% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.54M | 1.59M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.22M | 1.65M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.48% | 30.67% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALC
4.93%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.82%
- Q3
- 15.54%
- Median
- 9.69%
- Q1
- 5.19%
- Min
- -7.98%
ALC’s Return on Equity of 4.93% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
IQV
21.40%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.81%
- Q3
- 11.79%
- Median
- 7.51%
- Q1
- 3.14%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 21.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
10.70%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 24.65%
- Q3
- 14.10%
- Median
- 10.09%
- Q1
- 5.84%
- Min
- -6.13%
ALC’s Net Profit Margin of 10.70% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
IQV
8.07%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.77%
- Q3
- 17.97%
- Median
- 8.97%
- Q1
- 3.80%
- Min
- -11.89%
IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 8.07% 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)
ALC
14.38%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 31.34%
- Q3
- 18.36%
- Median
- 15.07%
- Q1
- 9.62%
- Min
- -0.13%
ALC’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.38% 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.
IQV
13.69%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 31.55%
- Q3
- 21.26%
- Median
- 14.06%
- Q1
- 8.54%
- Min
- 0.11%
IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.69% 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 | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 4.93% | 21.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.49% | 4.60% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.70% | 8.07% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.38% | 13.69% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.26% | 33.78% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.92
- Median
- 2.12
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.86
ALC’s Current Ratio of 2.60 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.
IQV
0.70
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.87
- Median
- 1.75
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.57
IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.70 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)
ALC
0.24
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.62
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.15
- Min
- 0.00
ALC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.24 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.
IQV
2.43
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.95
- Q3
- 0.70
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.43, 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)
ALC
9.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 56.35
- Q3
- 24.86
- Median
- 9.84
- Q1
- 3.86
- Min
- -21.65
ALC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.60 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.60 | 0.70 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 0.68 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 2.43 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | 3.68 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALC
0.43%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.36%
- Q3
- 1.87%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.43% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.02%
- Q3
- 0.67%
- Median
- 0.32%
- 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)
ALC
94.32%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 67.77%
- Median
- 28.21%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 94.32% is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 97.67%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 18.53%
- 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 | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.43% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 94.32% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALC
36.15
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 67.59
- Q3
- 41.41
- Median
- 33.11
- Q1
- 22.82
- Min
- 8.68
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 36.15 is within the middle range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
IQV
29.38
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 78.22
- Q3
- 57.42
- Median
- 34.18
- Q1
- 28.39
- Min
- 1.55
IQV’s P/E Ratio of 29.38 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)
ALC
3.87
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.49
- Q3
- 5.41
- Median
- 2.92
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.61
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 3.87 aligns with the market consensus for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
IQV
2.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.69
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 4.95
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- 1.04
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 2.37 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)
ALC
2.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.77
- Q3
- 6.04
- Median
- 3.32
- Q1
- 2.31
- Min
- 0.83
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 2.00 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
IQV
5.24
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 5.04
- Median
- 3.94
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- 1.13
IQV’s P/B Ratio of 5.24 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 | ALC | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 36.15 | 29.38 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.87 | 2.37 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 5.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 27.41 | 17.05 |