ARGX vs. BAX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARGX and BAX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARGX’s market capitalization of 33.18 billion USD is substantially larger than BAX’s 15.91 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
BAX carries a higher beta at 0.61, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while ARGX (beta: 0.04) exhibits greater stability.
ARGX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, BAX is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARGX | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | argenx SE | Baxter International Inc. |
| Country | NL | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Instruments & Supplies |
| CEO | Timothy Van Hauwermeiren EMBA, | David Brent Shafer |
| Price | 543.48 USD | 31.01 USD |
| Market Cap | 33.18 billion USD | 15.91 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.04 | 0.61 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 18, 2017 | October 27, 1981 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARGX and BAX 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ARGX
16.83%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.39%
- Q3
- -6.30%
- Median
- -32.82%
- Q1
- -68.26%
- Min
- -147.61%
In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ARGX’s Return on Equity of 16.83% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
BAX
-7.58%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 26.65%
- Q3
- 13.00%
- Median
- 1.08%
- Q1
- -8.11%
- Min
- -38.20%
BAX has a negative Return on Equity of -7.58%. 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.
Return on Invested Capital
ARGX
-118.38%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 48.74%
- Q3
- -10.68%
- Median
- -31.65%
- Q1
- -52.92%
- Min
- -113.69%
ARGX has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -118.38%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
BAX
-0.18%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 20.14%
- Q3
- 7.36%
- Median
- 1.97%
- Q1
- -6.22%
- Min
- -20.00%
BAX has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -0.18%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.
Net Profit Margin
ARGX
37.53%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 87.75%
- Q3
- -5.05%
- Median
- -103.44%
- Q1
- -1,032.77%
- Min
- -2,366.07%
A Net Profit Margin of 37.53% places ARGX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
BAX
-5.20%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 28.95%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- -2.83%
- Q1
- -12.85%
- Min
- -26.41%
BAX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -5.20%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin
ARGX
-1.24%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 87.75%
- Q3
- -3.28%
- Median
- -115.26%
- Q1
- -1,188.86%
- Min
- -2,943.30%
ARGX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.24%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
BAX
-0.40%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 32.10%
- Q3
- 16.03%
- Median
- 2.28%
- Q1
- -7.96%
- Min
- -26.84%
BAX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -0.40%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.83% | -7.58% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.45% | -2.63% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -118.38% | -0.18% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.53% | -5.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.24% | -0.40% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.33% | 36.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ARGX
7.29
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 28.73
- Q3
- 13.97
- Median
- 6.31
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.02
ARGX’s Current Ratio of 7.29 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
BAX
2.02
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 4.57
- Median
- 2.64
- Q1
- 1.81
- Min
- 1.10
BAX’s Current Ratio of 2.02 aligns with the median group of the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ARGX
0.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.46
- Q3
- 0.22
- Median
- 0.06
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ARGX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
BAX
1.46
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.46
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.03
BAX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.46. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ARGX
-20.85
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 108.32
- Q3
- -0.55
- Median
- -8.49
- Q1
- -74.83
- Min
- -168.36
ARGX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -20.85. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
BAX
-0.11
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 25.04
- Q3
- 8.80
- Median
- 3.66
- Q1
- -3.85
- Min
- -11.93
BAX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -0.11. 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 | ARGX | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 7.29 | 2.02 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 6.68 | 1.40 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 1.46 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.48 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -189.75 | 7.85 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -20.85 | -0.11 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARGX and BAX. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
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.
BAX
2.58%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.02%
- Q3
- 0.38%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.58%, BAX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
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.
BAX
-94.64%
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 76.77%
- Q3
- 11.37%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BAX has a negative Dividend Payout Ratio of -94.64%. This typically means the company paid a dividend despite reporting a net loss, a situation that may signal financial instability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.58% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | -94.64% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ARGX
48.48
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.44
- Q3
- 48.98
- Median
- 20.50
- Q1
- 12.64
- Min
- 2.14
ARGX’s P/E Ratio of 48.48 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.
BAX
-28.35
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 45.65
- Q3
- 44.10
- Median
- 35.47
- Q1
- 29.60
- Min
- 21.65
BAX has a negative P/E Ratio of -28.35. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ARGX
1.27
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.10
- Median
- 0.49
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.02
A Forward PEG Ratio of 1.27 places ARGX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
BAX
-2.68
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 5.80
- Q3
- 3.68
- Median
- 2.56
- Q1
- 1.87
- Min
- 0.22
BAX has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -2.68. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ARGX
15.66
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 110.90
- Q3
- 59.76
- Median
- 11.33
- Q1
- 4.45
- Min
- 0.17
ARGX’s P/S Ratio of 15.66 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.
BAX
1.48
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 12.87
- Q3
- 6.95
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 2.24
- Min
- 0.71
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Instruments & Supplies industry, BAX’s P/S Ratio of 1.48 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ARGX
7.35
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 15.78
- Q3
- 7.44
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.31
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Biotechnology industry.
BAX
2.24
Medical - Instruments & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.60
- Q3
- 5.48
- Median
- 3.37
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.65
BAX’s P/B Ratio of 2.24 is within the conventional range for the Medical - Instruments & 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | BAX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 48.48 | -28.35 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.27 | -2.68 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 15.66 | 1.48 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.35 | 2.24 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -432.72 | 83.32 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 4329.99 | 23.44 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 15.00 | 2.22 |