ASND vs. UTHR: Ascendis Pharma vs. United Therapeutics Stock Comparison
How do Ascendis Pharma (ASND) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) are both classified in the Biotechnology sub-industry within the broader Biotechnology industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Ascendis Pharma A/S | United Therapeutics Corporation |
| Country/Region | Denmark | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 16.90 billion USD | 23.94 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | January 28, 2015 | June 17, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 29.46% | 28.77% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 40.62% | 37.63% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 10.03% | 23.78% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 38.62% | 35.00% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.38 | 0.49 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -55.93% | -33.00% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 698.39K | 694.55K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.65 | 0.70 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.99 | 1.29 |
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; United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 19.13% 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.13%
- Max
- 109.18%
- UTHR
- 19.13%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 70.85% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 38.61% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
38.61%
- UTHR
- 38.61%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 64.98% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 28.99% 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.99%
- Max
- 83.12%
- UTHR
- 28.99%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 118.78% | 19.13% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.58% | 10.91% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 70.85% | 38.61% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 64.98% | 28.99% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 91.30% | 86.34% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 98.03% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 10.61% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for ASND.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports EPS growth of 13.07%, ranked against its industry; Ascendis Pharma (ASND) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 98.03% | 10.61% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 141.43% | 18.02% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | 13.07% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 22.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 2.99 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 4.61 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.61
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- UTHR
- 4.61
- Q1
- 2.47
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Only one side’s leverage can be read here: Ascendis Pharma (ASND) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31 against its industry range, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports no figure this period.
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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
- UTHR
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.99 | 4.61 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.31 | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -1.37 | -1.53 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Ascendis Pharma (ASND) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither Ascendis Pharma (ASND) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 19.68 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 21.22 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.22
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- UTHR
- 21.22
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Ascendis Pharma (ASND) at 16.14 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 7.51 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.51
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- UTHR
- 7.51
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 3.80 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.80
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- UTHR
- 3.80
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | ASND | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 19.68 | 21.22 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 16.14 | 7.51 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 10.45 | 3.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.08% | 1.90% |