ALC vs. NBIX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 6, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
Company Name	Alcon Inc.	Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.
Country	Switzerland	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Health Care Equipment & Supplies	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	38.31 billion USD	13.59 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	April 9, 2019	May 23, 1996
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ALC and NBIX 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
5-Day Price Return	1.70%	-2.31%
13-Week Price Return	-14.05%	6.13%
26-Week Price Return	-25.45%	23.90%
52-Week Price Return	0.56%	20.25%
Month-to-Date Return	1.15%	-2.39%
Year-to-Date Return	-22.05%	0.39%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.10M	0.97M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.09M	0.90M
3-Month Volatility	27.92%	27.64%
Beta	0.97	0.28

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ALC

5.22%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 29.93%
Q3: 16.99%
Median: 9.28%
Q1: 5.10%
Min: -12.52%

ALC’s Return on Equity of 5.22% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NBIX

13.22%

Biotechnology Industry

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

In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, NBIX’s Return on Equity of 13.22% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ALC

11.28%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 24.41%
Q3: 13.71%
Median: 10.08%
Q1: 5.96%
Min: -5.58%

ALC’s Net Profit Margin of 11.28% 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.

NBIX

13.88%

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s Net Profit Margin of 13.88% 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ALC

15.24%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 31.09%
Q3: 18.11%
Median: 15.07%
Q1: 8.48%
Min: -0.28%

ALC’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.24% 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.

NBIX

19.72%

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.72% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
Return on Equity (TTM)	5.22%	13.22%
Return on Assets (TTM)	3.69%	9.39%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	11.28%	13.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.24%	19.72%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	54.25%	98.49%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ALC

2.70

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 5.19
Q3: 3.00
Median: 2.13
Q1: 1.44
Min: 0.86

ALC’s Current Ratio of 2.70 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.

NBIX

3.20

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s Current Ratio of 3.20 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ALC

0.24

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 1.61
Q3: 0.76
Median: 0.45
Q1: 0.14
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.

NBIX

0.00

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ALC

9.60

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 56.35
Q3: 25.56
Median: 9.60
Q1: 3.78
Min: -26.49

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.

NBIX

6.75

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 6.75 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.70	3.20
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.66	3.10
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.24	0.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.60	6.75

Growth

Revenue Growth

ALC vs. NBIX: 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

ALC vs. NBIX: 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)

ALC

0.35%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 4.15%
Q3: 1.76%
Median: 0.79%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NBIX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ALC

58.30%

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 160.00%
Q3: 66.60%
Median: 27.49%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ALC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 58.30% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NBIX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.35%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	58.30%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ALC

33.57

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 67.29
Q3: 47.01
Median: 30.94
Q1: 23.91
Min: 10.79

ALC’s P/E Ratio of 33.57 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.

NBIX

38.87

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s P/E Ratio of 38.87 is within the middle range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ALC

3.79

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 9.49
Q3: 5.41
Median: 2.86
Q1: 2.07
Min: 0.74

ALC’s P/S Ratio of 3.79 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.

NBIX

5.39

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s P/S Ratio of 5.39 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ALC

2.37

Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry

Max: 10.85
Q3: 6.56
Median: 3.53
Q1: 2.36
Min: 0.71

ALC’s P/B Ratio of 2.37 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.

NBIX

4.62

Biotechnology Industry

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

NBIX’s P/B Ratio of 4.62 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.

ALC vs. NBIX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Health Care Equipment & Supplies and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ALC	NBIX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	33.57	38.87
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.79	5.39
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.37	4.62
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	25.87	25.61