AMGN vs. WST: Amgen vs. West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but AMGN is classified in Biotechnology while WST is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.

Company profile comparison for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Profile Item	AMGN	WST
Name	Amgen Inc. Common Stock	West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Life Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-Industry	Biotechnology	Life Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization	249.05 billion USD	27.85 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	NYSE
Listing Date	June 17, 1983	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AMGN

WST

GSPC

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Total Return (1Y)	48.82%	51.68%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	24.31%	7.13%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	20.67%	0.05%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AMGN

WST

GSPC

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	29.12%	31.45%
Beta (5Y)	0.43	1.13
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-24.86%	-59.29%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.76M	603.86K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

AMGN and WST are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.53	1.51
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	2.36	2.35

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 78.35% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 21.23% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

78.35%

Max: 109.18%
AMGN: 78.35%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.23%

Max: 109.18%
WST: 21.23%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 24.14% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 18.81% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

24.14%

AMGN: 24.14%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.81%

WST: 18.81%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 35.79% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 25.37% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

35.79%

Max: 83.12%
AMGN: 35.79%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.37%

Max: 83.12%
WST: 25.37%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
ROE (TTM)	78.35%	21.23%
ROA (TTM)	8.91%	11.89%
Net Margin (TTM)	24.14%	18.81%
Operating Margin (TTM)	35.79%	25.37%
Gross Margin (TTM)	72.47%	37.59%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 9.95% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 6.25% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Amgen (AMGN) at 88.23% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 1.49% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for AMGN.

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Revenue Growth (YoY)	9.95%	6.25%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	11.77%	2.12%
EPS Growth (YoY)	88.23%	1.49%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	5.52%	-4.23%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 2.82 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Amgen (AMGN) at 1.48 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for AMGN.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.48

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
AMGN: 1.48
Min: 0.10

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.82

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
WST: 2.82
Q1: 2.47
Min: 0.10

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.11 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Amgen (AMGN) at 3.76 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.76

AMGN: 3.76
Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.11

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
WST: 0.11
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.48	2.82
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	3.76	0.11
Net Debt / EBITDA	2.31	-0.16

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 2.16% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.22% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.16%

AMGN: 2.16%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.22%

WST: 0.22%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Amgen (AMGN) at 57.62% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 9.88% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

57.62%

AMGN: 57.62%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.88%

WST: 9.88%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.16%	0.22%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	57.62%	9.88%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Amgen (AMGN) at 26.69 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 44.87 sits in the richer quartile — WST needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

26.69

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
AMGN: 26.69
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.87

Max: 85.34
WST: 44.87
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Amgen (AMGN) at 6.40 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 8.20 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.40

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
AMGN: 6.40
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.20

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
WST: 8.20
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 9.40 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Amgen (AMGN) at 17.35 prices even higher, above its industry range.

AMGN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.35

AMGN: 17.35
Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.40

Max: 13.53
WST: 9.40
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Amgen (AMGN) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Amgen (AMGN) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	AMGN	WST
P/E Ratio (TTM)	26.69	44.87
P/S Ratio (TTM)	6.40	8.20
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	17.35	9.40
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.96%	1.24%