APLS vs. ARGX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APLS and ARGX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
APLS is a standard domestic listing, while ARGX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | argenx SE |
| Country | United States | Netherlands |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 3.48 billion USD | 42.15 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 9, 2017 | May 18, 2017 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APLS and ARGX 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 | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.13% | -1.36% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 54.78% | 8.64% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.06% | -8.57% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -29.69% | 22.32% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 23.19% | -4.85% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -13.76% | -5.73% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.54M | 0.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.53M | 0.08M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 61.96% | 37.04% |
| Beta | 0.72 | 0.77 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
APLS
-116.09%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
APLS has a negative Return on Equity of -116.09%. 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.
ARGX
17.59%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ARGX’s Return on Equity of 17.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
APLS
-30.24%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
APLS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -30.24%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
ARGX
-23.60%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
ARGX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -23.60%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
APLS
-25.18%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
APLS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -25.18%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
ARGX
-40.34%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
ARGX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -40.34%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -116.09% | 17.59% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -26.72% | 15.24% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -30.24% | -23.60% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -25.18% | -40.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 83.78% | 90.83% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
APLS
3.77
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
APLS’s Current Ratio of 3.77 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
ARGX
5.60
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
ARGX’s Current Ratio of 5.60 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)
APLS
2.90
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.90, APLS operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
ARGX
0.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
ARGX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 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)
APLS
-5.65
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
APLS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -5.65. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
ARGX
-81.88
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
ARGX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -81.88. 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 | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.77 | 5.60 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 4.92 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.90 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -5.65 | -81.88 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
APLS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APLS 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.
ARGX
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARGX 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)
APLS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
APLS 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.
ARGX
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARGX 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 | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
APLS
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for APLS is currently unavailable.
ARGX
31.14
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
ARGX’s P/E Ratio of 31.14 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
APLS
4.48
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, APLS’s P/S Ratio of 4.48 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.
ARGX
29.31
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
ARGX’s P/S Ratio of 29.31 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)
APLS
13.92
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
APLS’s P/B Ratio of 13.92 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.
ARGX
5.48
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
ARGX’s P/B Ratio of 5.48 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APLS | ARGX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 31.14 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.48 | 29.31 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.92 | 5.48 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 58.51 | -- |