APLS vs. ASND: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at APLS and ASND, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
APLS is a standard domestic listing, while ASND trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | APLS | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Ascendis Pharma A/S |
| Country | United States | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 3.36 billion USD | 11.67 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 9, 2017 | January 28, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of APLS and ASND 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 | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.77% | 1.85% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 50.42% | 23.49% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -3.20% | 54.29% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -31.09% | 40.18% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 18.98% | 12.17% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.70% | 41.37% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.55M | 0.65M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.55M | 0.49M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 63.36% | 36.12% |
| Beta | 0.71 | 0.40 |
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.
ASND
-257.14%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
ASND has a negative Return on Equity of -257.14%. 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)
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.
ASND
-55.25%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
ASND has a negative Net Profit Margin of -55.25%, 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.
ASND
-51.66%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
ASND has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -51.66%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | APLS | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -116.09% | -257.14% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -26.72% | -24.52% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -30.24% | -55.25% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -25.18% | -51.66% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 83.78% | 84.88% |
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.
ASND
1.02
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
ASND’s Current Ratio of 1.02 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
ASND
7.81
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.81, ASND 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.
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.
ASND
-4.54
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
ASND has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.54. 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 | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.77 | 1.02 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.02 | 0.66 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.90 | 7.81 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -5.65 | -4.54 |
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.
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND 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.
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND 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 | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
ASND
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for ASND is currently unavailable.
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.
ASND
20.60
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
ASND’s P/S Ratio of 20.60 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.
ASND
67.75
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
At 67.75, ASND’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | APLS | ASND |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.48 | 20.60 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 13.92 | 67.75 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 58.51 | -- |