ARGX vs. MCK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARGX and MCK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
MCK’s market capitalization of 89.99 billion USD is significantly greater than ARGX’s 33.18 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
MCK carries a higher beta at 0.49, 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, MCK is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARGX | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | argenx SE | McKesson Corporation |
| Country | NL | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Biotechnology | Medical - Distribution |
| CEO | Timothy Van Hauwermeiren EMBA, | Brian S. Tyler |
| Price | 543.48 USD | 719.3 USD |
| Market Cap | 33.18 billion USD | 89.99 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.04 | 0.49 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 18, 2017 | November 10, 1994 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARGX and MCK 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.
MCK
-132.73%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 12.20%
- Q3
- 12.03%
- Median
- -50.14%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -132.73%
MCK has a negative Return on Equity of -132.73%. 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.
MCK
26.59%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 26.59%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 7.70%
- Q1
- -0.02%
- Min
- -5.86%
In the upper quartile for the Medical - Distribution industry, MCK’s Return on Invested Capital of 26.59% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
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.
MCK
0.92%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.21%
- Q3
- 2.07%
- Median
- 0.70%
- Q1
- -1.43%
- Min
- -6.29%
MCK’s Net Profit Margin of 0.92% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Medical - Distribution 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.
MCK
1.24%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 5.22%
- Q3
- 3.23%
- Median
- 1.07%
- Q1
- -0.39%
- Min
- -4.51%
MCK’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.24% is around the midpoint for the Medical - Distribution industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 16.83% | -132.73% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.45% | 4.39% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | -118.38% | 26.59% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.53% | 0.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -1.24% | 1.24% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 46.33% | 3.66% |
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.
MCK
0.90
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.38
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 1.13
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.87
MCK’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Medical - Distribution 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.
MCK
-3.56
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.97
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.04
- Min
- 0.03
MCK has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -3.56, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
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.
MCK
25.45
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 25.45
- Q3
- 12.43
- Median
- 7.07
- Q1
- 1.82
- Min
- -1.21
MCK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 25.45 is in the upper quartile for the Medical - Distribution industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 7.29 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 6.68 | 0.53 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | -3.56 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.10 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -189.75 | 0.33 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -20.85 | 25.45 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARGX and MCK. 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.
MCK
0.39%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.21%
- Q3
- 0.56%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Yield of 0.39% is consistent with its peers in the Medical - Distribution industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
MCK
10.47%
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 31.84%
- Q3
- 21.47%
- Median
- 5.24%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MCK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 10.47% is within the typical range for the Medical - Distribution industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.39% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 10.47% |
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.
MCK
27.33
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 34.27
- Q3
- 27.58
- Median
- 25.75
- Q1
- 22.28
- Min
- 18.73
MCK’s P/E Ratio of 27.33 is within the middle range for the Medical - Distribution industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
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.
MCK
2.11
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.40
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 2.36
- Q1
- 2.08
- Min
- 1.94
MCK’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.11 is within the middle range of its peers in the Medical - Distribution 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.
MCK
0.25
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.08
- Q3
- 0.89
- Median
- 0.25
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.06
MCK’s P/S Ratio of 0.25 aligns with the market consensus for the Medical - Distribution industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
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.
MCK
-43.42
Medical - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 8.13
- Q3
- 8.13
- Median
- 2.74
- Q1
- 2.19
- Min
- 1.20
MCK has a negative P/B Ratio of -43.42, indicating its liabilities exceed its assets and result in negative shareholder equity. This is a critical warning sign of financial distress.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ARGX | MCK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 48.48 | 27.33 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.27 | 2.11 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 15.66 | 0.25 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 7.35 | -43.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -432.72 | 16.04 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 4329.99 | 17.87 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 15.00 | 0.26 |