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ASND vs. GILD: Ascendis Pharma vs. Gilead Sciences Stock Comparison

How do Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) are both classified in the Biotechnology sub-industry within the broader Biotechnology industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
Profile ItemASNDGILD
NameAscendis Pharma A/SGilead Sciences Inc.
Country/RegionDenmarkUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyBiotechnology
Market Capitalization16.90 billion USD207.00 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateJanuary 28, 2015January 22, 1992
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ASND
GILD
GSPC
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD), 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Total Return (1Y)29.46%45.69%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)40.62%35.30%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)10.03%25.00%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ASND
GILD
GSPC
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD), 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)38.62%27.57%
Beta (5Y)0.380.36
Max Drawdown (5Y)-55.93%-26.59%
Avg. Volume (3M)698.39K5.98M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ASND and GILD 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.651.50
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.992.48

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a negative ROE of -22.45%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Ascendis Pharma (ASND) reports 118.78%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-22.45%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
GILD
-22.45%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a negative net margin of -12.46%, 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%

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-12.46%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
GILD
-12.46%
Min
-17.05%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 64.98% and Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 42.43% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

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%

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

42.43%

Max
83.12%
GILD
42.43%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
ROE (TTM)118.78%-22.45%
ROA (TTM)9.58%13.47%
Net Margin (TTM)70.85%-12.46%
Operating Margin (TTM)64.98%42.43%
Gross Margin (TTM)91.30%79.95%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 98.03% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 2.39% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for ASND.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports EPS growth of 1,684.21%, ranked against its industry; Ascendis Pharma (ASND) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Revenue Growth (YoY)98.03%2.39%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)141.43%2.57%
EPS Growth (YoY)--1,684.21%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--23.04%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 2.99 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 1.38 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for GILD.

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

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.38

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
GILD
1.38
Min
0.10
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 0.31 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 2.02 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

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

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.02

GILD
2.02
Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.991.38
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.312.02
Net Debt / EBITDA-1.371.25

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a yield of 1.94%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.94%

GILD
1.94%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a payout of 43.46%, ranking against industry peers normally.

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%

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

43.46%

GILD
43.46%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.94%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%43.46%

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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
GILD
--
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): GILD 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)

On P/S ratio, both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 16.14 and Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 6.68 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

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

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.68

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
GILD
6.68
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 10.45 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 15.88 prices even higher, above its industry range.

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

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

15.88

GILD
15.88
Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Gilead Sciences (GILD): 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD)
MetricASNDGILD
P/E Ratio (TTM)19.68--
P/S Ratio (TTM)16.146.68
P/B Ratio (MRQ)10.4515.88
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)0.08%5.16%