ARGX vs. ZLAB: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 11, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARGX and ZLAB, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both ARGX and ZLAB are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
Company Name	argenx SE	Zai Lab Limited
Country	Netherlands	China
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	49.19 billion USD	3.82 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGM
Listing Date	May 18, 2017	September 20, 2017
Security Type	ADR	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARGX and ZLAB 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.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
5-Day Price Return	2.66%	-3.25%
13-Week Price Return	46.02%	-3.75%
26-Week Price Return	30.48%	-11.70%
52-Week Price Return	39.71%	-17.46%
Month-to-Date Return	10.01%	-1.87%
Year-to-Date Return	13.17%	25.26%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.09M	6.68M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.10M	16.12M
3-Month Volatility	38.39%	56.13%
Beta	0.95	1.49

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ARGX

17.59%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

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.

ZLAB

-27.32%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

ZLAB has a negative Return on Equity of -27.32%. 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 vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ARGX

-23.60%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

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.

ZLAB

-49.68%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

ZLAB has a negative Net Profit Margin of -49.68%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ARGX

-40.34%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

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.

ZLAB

-57.73%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

ZLAB has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -57.73%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
Return on Equity (TTM)	17.59%	-27.32%
Return on Assets (TTM)	15.24%	-18.85%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	-23.60%	-49.68%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-40.34%	-57.73%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	90.83%	62.46%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ARGX

5.60

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

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.

ZLAB

3.12

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

ZLAB’s Current Ratio of 3.12 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ARGX

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
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.

ZLAB

0.22

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

ZLAB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.22 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.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ARGX

-81.88

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

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.

ZLAB

-9.59

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

ZLAB has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -9.59. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
Current Ratio (MRQ)	5.60	3.12
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	4.92	2.81
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.01	0.22
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-81.88	-9.59

Growth

Revenue Growth

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

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.

ZLAB

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ZLAB 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 vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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.

ZLAB

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ZLAB 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 vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ARGX

37.96

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

ARGX’s P/E Ratio of 37.96 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.

ZLAB

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

P/E Ratio data for ZLAB is currently unavailable.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ARGX

29.31

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

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.

ZLAB

8.75

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

ZLAB’s P/S Ratio of 8.75 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.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ARGX

5.47

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

ARGX’s P/B Ratio of 5.47 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.

ZLAB

4.95

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

ZLAB’s P/B Ratio of 4.95 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.

ARGX vs. ZLAB: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	ZLAB
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	37.96	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	29.31	8.75
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	5.47	4.95
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	--	--