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ASND vs. JNJ: Ascendis Pharma vs. Johnson & Johnson Stock Comparison

How do Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ASND is classified in Biotechnology while JNJ is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Company profile comparison for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
Profile ItemASNDJNJ
NameAscendis Pharma A/SJohnson & Johnson
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 USD664.95 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJanuary 28, 2015January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ASND
JNJ
GSPC
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Total Return (1Y)29.46%53.82%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)40.62%27.51%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)10.03%14.71%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)38.62%21.23%
Beta (5Y)0.380.21
Max Drawdown (5Y)-55.93%-18.41%
Avg. Volume (3M)698.39K6.93M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ASND and JNJ 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.652.33
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.993.66

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 118.78% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 20.02% also sits in the top quartile.

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%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

20.02%

Max
109.18%
JNJ
20.02%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 70.85% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 16.20% also retains a top-quartile share.

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%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.20%

Max
18.05%
JNJ
16.20%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 25.74% 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%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.74%

Max
83.12%
JNJ
25.74%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
ROE (TTM)118.78%20.02%
ROA (TTM)9.58%8.46%
Net Margin (TTM)70.85%16.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)64.98%25.74%
Gross Margin (TTM)91.30%67.78%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 98.03% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.05% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for ASND.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports EPS growth of 90.50%, ranked against its industry; Ascendis Pharma (ASND) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Revenue Growth (YoY)98.03%6.05%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)141.43%5.60%
EPS Growth (YoY)--90.50%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--17.90%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 2.99 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.02 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for JNJ.

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

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.02

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
JNJ
1.02
Min
0.10
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 0.31 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.55 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

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.55

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
JNJ
0.55
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.991.02
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.310.55
Net Debt / EBITDA-1.370.79

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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.94%

JNJ
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. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports a payout of 80.12%, 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%

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

80.12%

JNJ
80.12%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%1.94%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%80.12%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 19.68 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 41.92 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

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

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

41.92

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
JNJ
41.92
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 16.14 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.69 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

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.69

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
JNJ
6.69
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 10.45 and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 8.16 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.

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

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.16

Max
13.53
JNJ
8.16
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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Ascendis Pharma (ASND) vs. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)
MetricASNDJNJ
P/E Ratio (TTM)19.6841.92
P/S Ratio (TTM)16.146.69
P/B Ratio (MRQ)10.458.16
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)0.08%2.78%