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ASND vs. ELAN: Ascendis Pharma vs. Elanco Animal Health Stock Comparison

How do Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ASND is classified in Biotechnology while ELAN is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
Profile ItemASNDELAN
NameAscendis Pharma A/SElanco Animal Health Incorporated
Country/RegionDenmarkUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization16.90 billion USD12.86 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJanuary 28, 2015September 20, 2018
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ASND
ELAN
GSPC
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Total Return (1Y)29.46%24.03%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)40.62%37.47%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)10.03%-4.24%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ASND
ELAN
GSPC
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has an aggressive beta of 1.65, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Ascendis Pharma (ASND) is defensive at 0.38 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Risk profile metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)38.62%43.57%
Beta (5Y)0.381.65
Max Drawdown (5Y)-55.93%-75.59%
Avg. Volume (3M)698.39K5.65M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ASND and ELAN are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.650.45
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.990.66

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Ascendis Pharma (ASND) earns 118.78% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no ROE this period.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

118.78%

ASND
118.78%
Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
ELAN
--
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ELAN does not report ROE, so it has no value marker; ASND is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Net Margin (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports a negative net margin of -2.86%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Ascendis Pharma (ASND) reports 70.85%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

70.85%

ASND
70.85%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-2.86%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
ELAN
-2.86%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 64.98% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.64%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

64.98%

Max
83.12%
ASND
64.98%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.64%

Max
83.12%
Q3
14.77%
ELAN
6.64%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
ROE (TTM)118.78%--
ROA (TTM)9.58%--
Net Margin (TTM)70.85%-2.86%
Operating Margin (TTM)64.98%6.64%
Gross Margin (TTM)91.30%56.18%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 98.03% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.22% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for ASND.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports EPS growth of -169.12%, ranked against its industry; Ascendis Pharma (ASND) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Revenue Growth (YoY)98.03%6.22%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)141.43%2.25%
EPS Growth (YoY)---169.12%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)----

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: Ascendis Pharma (ASND) shows current ratio of 2.99 against its industry benchmark, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no reading this period.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.99

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
ASND
2.99
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
ELAN
--
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ELAN does not report current ratio, so it has no value marker; ASND is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 0.31 and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 0.64 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.31

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
ASND
0.31
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.64

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
ELAN
0.64
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.99--
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.310.64
Net Debt / EBITDA-1.373.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Ascendis Pharma (ASND) nor Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ASND
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ELAN
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Ascendis Pharma (ASND) nor Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ASND
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ELAN
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Ascendis Pharma (ASND) trades at 19.68 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no P/E ratio this period.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

19.68

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
ASND
19.68
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
ELAN
--
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): ELAN does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; ASND is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 2.50 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 16.14 prices around its industry’s middle — ELAN costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.14

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
ASND
16.14
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.50

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
ELAN
2.50
Min
0.01
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 1.95 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 10.45 carries an above-peer premium to book — ASND is pricier on assets.

ASND

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.45

Max
13.53
ASND
10.45
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.95

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
ELAN
1.95
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Elanco Animal Health (ELAN): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Elanco Animal Health (ELAN)
MetricASNDELAN
P/E Ratio (TTM)19.68--
P/S Ratio (TTM)16.142.50
P/B Ratio (MRQ)10.451.95
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)0.08%--