ALC vs. NTRA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ALC and NTRA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ALC | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Alcon Inc. | Natera, Inc. |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 40.08 billion USD | 22.05 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | April 9, 2019 | July 1, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ALC and NTRA 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 | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.28% | 1.39% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.04% | 4.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -11.43% | -5.91% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 0.56% | 29.78% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.75% | 20.19% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -5.90% | 1.48% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.92M | 1.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.06M | 1.34M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.77% | 36.23% |
| Beta | 1.01 | 1.76 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ALC
5.22%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
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.
NTRA
-22.21%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
NTRA has a negative Return on Equity of -22.21%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
11.28%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
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.
NTRA
-12.89%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
NTRA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -12.89%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ALC
15.24%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
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.
NTRA
-14.95%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
NTRA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -14.95%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ALC | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 5.22% | -22.21% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.69% | -15.03% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.28% | -12.89% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.24% | -14.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 54.25% | 62.86% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.70
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- 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.
NTRA
3.72
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
NTRA’s Current Ratio of 3.72 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 (MRQ)
ALC
0.24
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- 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.
NTRA
0.06
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
NTRA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.06 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 (TTM)
ALC
9.60
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
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.
NTRA
-57.80
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
NTRA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -57.80. 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 | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.70 | 3.72 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.66 | 3.44 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.24 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | -57.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ALC
0.29%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ALC’s Dividend Yield of 0.29% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NTRA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NTRA 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
58.30%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- 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.
NTRA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NTRA 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 | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.29% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 58.30% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ALC
40.00
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
ALC’s P/E Ratio of 40.00 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.
NTRA
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for NTRA is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ALC
4.51
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
ALC’s P/S Ratio of 4.51 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.
NTRA
11.15
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
NTRA’s P/S Ratio of 11.15 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ALC
2.34
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
ALC’s P/B Ratio of 2.34 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.
NTRA
18.51
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
NTRA’s P/B Ratio of 18.51 is in the upper tier for the Biotechnology 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 | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 40.00 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.51 | 11.15 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.34 | 18.51 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.83 | 209.51 |