ALC vs. MRNA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and MRNA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ALC’s market capitalization of 43.42 billion USD is substantially larger than MRNA’s 11.79 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
MRNA carries a higher beta at 1.86, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while ALC (beta: 0.70) exhibits greater stability.
| Symbol | ALC | MRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | Moderna, Inc. |
| Country | CH | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Instruments & Supplies | Biotechnology |
| CEO | David J. Endicott | Stephane Bancel |
| Price | 87.78 USD | 30.49 USD |
| Market Cap | 43.42 billion USD | 11.79 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.70 | 1.86 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | April 9, 2019 | December 7, 2018 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC and MRNA 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ALC
6.95%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 26.65%
- Q3
- 13.00%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- -8.11%
- Min
- -38.20%
ALC’s Return on Equity of 6.95% is on par with the norm for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
MRNA
-30.10%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.39%
- Q3
- -6.30%
- Median
- -32.82%
- Q1
- -68.26%
- Min
- -147.61%
MRNA has a negative Return on Equity of -30.10%. 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.
Return on Invested Capital
ALC
4.39%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 20.14%
- Q3
- 7.36%
- Median
- 1.97%
- Q1
- -6.22%
- Min
- -20.00%
ALC’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.39% is in line with the norm for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
MRNA
-33.11%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 48.74%
- Q3
- -10.68%
- Median
- -31.65%
- Q1
- -52.92%
- Min
- -113.69%
MRNA has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -33.11%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ALC
11.27%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 28.95%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- -2.83%
- Q1
- -12.85%
- Min
- -26.41%
A Net Profit Margin of 11.27% places ALC in the upper quartile for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
MRNA
-106.27%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 87.75%
- Q3
- -5.05%
- Median
- -103.44%
- Q1
- -1,032.77%
- Min
- -2,366.07%
MRNA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -106.27%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
ALC
15.22%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 32.10%
- Q3
- 16.03%
- Median
- 2.28%
- Q1
- -7.96%
- Min
- -26.84%
ALC’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.22% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MRNA
-118.04%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 87.75%
- Q3
- -3.28%
- Median
- -115.26%
- Q1
- -1,188.86%
- Min
- -2,943.30%
MRNA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -118.04%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | MRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 6.95% | -30.10% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.61% | -26.42% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 4.39% | -33.11% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.27% | -106.27% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.22% | -118.04% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.55% | 52.55% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ALC
2.70
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.64
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- 1.10
ALC’s Current Ratio of 2.70 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MRNA
4.22
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 28.73
- Q3
- 13.97
- Median
- 6.31
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.02
MRNA’s Current Ratio of 4.22 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ALC
0.24
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.03
ALC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.24 is typical for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
MRNA
0.07
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.46
- Q3
- 0.22
- Median
- 0.06
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
MRNA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ALC
7.72
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.04
- Q3
- 8.80
- Median
- 3.66
- Q1
- -3.85
- Min
- -11.93
ALC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.72 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MRNA
-207.17
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 108.32
- Q3
- -0.55
- Median
- -8.49
- Q1
- -74.83
- Min
- -168.36
MRNA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -207.17. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | MRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.70 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.66 | 4.14 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.24 | 0.07 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.17 | 0.06 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.54 | 0.27 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.72 | -207.17 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ALC and MRNA. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ALC
0.38%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.02%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.38%, ALC offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
MRNA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRNA 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
ALC
11.23%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 76.77%
- Q3
- 11.37%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.23% is within the typical range for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MRNA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRNA 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 | MRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.38% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 11.23% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ALC
38.80
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 45.65
- Q3
- 44.10
- Median
- 35.47
- Q1
- 29.60
- Min
- 21.65
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 38.80 is within the middle range for the Medical - Instruments & 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.
MRNA
-3.51
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.44
- Q3
- 48.98
- Median
- 20.50
- Q1
- 12.64
- Min
- 2.14
MRNA has a negative P/E Ratio of -3.51. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ALC
2.54
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.68
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 0.22
ALC’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.54 is within the middle range of its peers in the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
MRNA
0.13
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.49
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.02
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, MRNA’s Forward PEG Ratio of 0.13 is a positive indicator. It suggests that the stock may be attractively valued relative to its expected earnings growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ALC
4.37
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 12.87
- Q3
- 6.95
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- 0.71
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 4.37 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MRNA
3.73
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 110.90
- Q3
- 59.76
- Median
- 11.33
- Q1
- 4.45
- Min
- 0.17
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, MRNA’s P/S Ratio of 3.73 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
ALC
1.98
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.60
- Q3
- 5.48
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.65
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 1.98 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Instruments & 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.
MRNA
1.17
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 15.78
- Q3
- 7.44
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.31
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Biotechnology industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | MRNA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 38.80 | -3.51 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.54 | 0.13 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 4.37 | 3.73 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 1.98 | 1.17 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 25.24 | -2.93 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 19.18 | -3.42 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4.75 | 3.45 |