ARGX vs. IQV: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARGX and IQV, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARGX’s market capitalization stands at 33.18 billion USD, while IQV’s is 28.41 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
IQV carries a higher beta at 1.29, 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, IQV is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARGX | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | argenx SE | IQVIA Holdings Inc. |
| Country | NL | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Diagnostics & Research |
| CEO | Timothy Van Hauwermeiren EMBA, | Ari Bousbib |
| Price | 543.48 USD | 164.24 USD |
| Market Cap | 33.18 billion USD | 28.41 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.04 | 1.29 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 18, 2017 | May 9, 2013 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARGX and IQV 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.
IQV
20.74%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 57.35%
- Q3
- 18.17%
- Median
- 2.69%
- Q1
- -16.72%
- Min
- -48.78%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 20.74% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
IQV
8.14%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 42.99%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 3.02%
- Q1
- -11.49%
- Min
- -40.79%
IQV’s Return on Invested Capital of 8.14% is in line with the norm for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
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.
IQV
8.61%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 22.76%
- Q3
- 15.19%
- Median
- 1.64%
- Q1
- -22.25%
- Min
- -78.24%
IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 8.61% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
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.
IQV
13.85%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 36.06%
- Q3
- 20.26%
- Median
- 6.15%
- Q1
- -21.89%
- Min
- -82.21%
IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.83% | 20.74% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.45% | 4.88% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -118.38% | 8.14% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.53% | 8.61% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.24% | 13.85% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.33% | 34.72% |
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.
IQV
0.82
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 6.91
- Q3
- 4.11
- Median
- 2.46
- Q1
- 1.44
- Min
- 0.73
IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.82 falls into the lower quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research 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
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.
IQV
2.43
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.39
- Q1
- 0.21
- Min
- 0.01
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.43, IQV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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.
IQV
3.21
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.07
- Q3
- 5.62
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- -38.78
- Min
- -57.46
IQV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.21 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 7.29 | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 6.68 | 0.82 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 2.43 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.53 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -189.75 | 3.76 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -20.85 | 3.21 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARGX and IQV. 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.
IQV
0.00%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 2.76%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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
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.
IQV
0.00%
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 37.46%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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 | ARGX | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
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.
IQV
21.63
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 48.28
- Q3
- 44.64
- Median
- 29.13
- Q1
- 22.34
- Min
- 15.59
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, IQV’s P/E Ratio of 21.63 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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.
IQV
2.04
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 4.18
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.40
- Q1
- 0.57
- Min
- 0.04
IQV’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.04 is within the middle range of its peers in the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
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.
IQV
1.83
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 12.53
- Q3
- 6.19
- Median
- 3.58
- Q1
- 1.95
- Min
- 0.58
In the lower quartile for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 1.83 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.
IQV
4.83
Medical - Diagnostics & Research Industry
- Max
- 10.67
- Q3
- 5.74
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.39
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Medical - Diagnostics & Research industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | IQV |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 48.48 | 21.63 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.27 | 2.04 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 15.66 | 1.83 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.35 | 4.83 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -432.72 | 13.14 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 4329.99 | 12.13 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 15.00 | 2.66 |