ASND vs. GSK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASND and GSK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both ASND and GSK are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ascendis Pharma A/S | GSK plc |
| Country | Denmark | United Kingdom |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 11.67 billion USD | 80.75 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 28, 2015 | March 28, 1980 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASND and GSK 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.85% | 1.15% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.49% | 2.54% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 54.29% | 0.48% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 40.18% | -9.05% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 12.17% | 2.36% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 41.37% | 7.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.65M | 4.40M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.49M | 7.12M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.12% | 24.50% |
| Beta | 0.40 | 0.93 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ASND
-257.14%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
ASND has a negative Return on Equity of -257.14%. 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.
GSK
24.18%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, GSK’s Return on Equity of 24.18% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ASND
-55.25%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
ASND has a negative Net Profit Margin of -55.25%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
GSK
10.82%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
GSK’s Net Profit Margin of 10.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ASND
-51.66%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
ASND has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -51.66%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
GSK
16.22%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
GSK’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.22% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -257.14% | 24.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -24.52% | 5.77% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -55.25% | 10.82% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -51.66% | 16.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 84.88% | 71.77% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ASND
1.02
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
ASND’s Current Ratio of 1.02 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
GSK
0.87
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
GSK’s Current Ratio of 0.87 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals 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 (MRQ)
ASND
7.81
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.81, ASND operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
GSK
1.17
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.17. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ASND
-4.54
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
ASND has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.54. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
GSK
2.37
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, GSK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.37 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 0.87 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.66 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 7.81 | 1.17 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -4.54 | 2.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND 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.
GSK
4.26%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 4.26%, GSK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND 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.
GSK
54.01%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
GSK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 54.01% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 4.26% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 54.01% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ASND
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for ASND is currently unavailable.
GSK
17.09
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s P/E Ratio of 17.09 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ASND
20.60
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
ASND’s P/S Ratio of 20.60 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.
GSK
1.85
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
GSK’s P/S Ratio of 1.85 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ASND
67.75
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
At 67.75, ASND’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
GSK
3.84
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
GSK’s P/B Ratio of 3.84 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | GSK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 17.09 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 20.60 | 1.85 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 67.75 | 3.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 12.54 |