BIIB vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BIIB and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Biogen Inc. | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 24.51 billion USD | 19.04 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 17, 1991 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BIIB and WST 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 | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 7.23% | -5.12% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 20.89% | 6.16% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 36.04% | 21.07% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.06% | -24.02% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.61% | -7.34% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 9.57% | -20.21% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.95M | 0.71M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.62M | 0.70M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.63% | 34.12% |
| Beta | 0.10 | 1.17 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BIIB
9.26%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 96.19%
- Q3
- 12.45%
- Median
- -16.39%
- Q1
- -47.43%
- Min
- -131.19%
BIIB’s Return on Equity of 9.26% is on par with the norm for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WST
17.33%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.81%
- Q3
- 11.79%
- Median
- 7.51%
- Q1
- 3.14%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BIIB
15.99%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 84.13%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- -1.39%
- Q1
- -117.64%
- Min
- -296.77%
BIIB’s Net Profit Margin of 15.99% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
WST
16.29%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.77%
- Q3
- 17.97%
- Median
- 8.97%
- Q1
- 3.80%
- Min
- -11.89%
WST’s Net Profit Margin of 16.29% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BIIB
21.91%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 20.86%
- Median
- 0.51%
- Q1
- -128.29%
- Min
- -315.84%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.91% places BIIB in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
WST
19.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 31.55%
- Q3
- 21.26%
- Median
- 14.06%
- Q1
- 8.54%
- Min
- 0.11%
WST’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.48% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.26% | 17.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.67% | 12.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.99% | 16.29% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.91% | 19.48% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 75.24% | 35.58% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
2.72
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 15.83
- Q3
- 7.97
- Median
- 4.06
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.72
BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.72 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WST
2.87
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.87
- Median
- 1.75
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.57
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.87 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
0.35
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.27
- Q3
- 0.62
- Median
- 0.13
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
BIIB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.35 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.95
- Q3
- 0.70
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
4.35
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.71
- Median
- -15.18
- Q1
- -65.75
- Min
- -166.46
BIIB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.35 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
WST
130.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 130.12, WST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.72 | 2.87 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.05 | 2.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.35 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.35 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB 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.
WST
0.31%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.02%
- Q3
- 0.67%
- Median
- 0.32%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.31% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB 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.
WST
12.34%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 97.67%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.34% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 12.34% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
15.20
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 115.91
- Q3
- 56.76
- Median
- 21.80
- Q1
- 15.79
- Min
- 4.51
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 15.20 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
WST
40.29
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 78.22
- Q3
- 57.42
- Median
- 34.18
- Q1
- 28.39
- Min
- 1.55
WST’s P/E Ratio of 40.29 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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)
BIIB
2.43
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 58.56
- Q3
- 29.31
- Median
- 8.30
- Q1
- 4.89
- Min
- 0.86
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.43 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
WST
6.56
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.69
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 4.95
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- 1.04
WST’s P/S Ratio of 6.56 is in the upper echelon for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
1.13
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 17.92
- Q3
- 10.38
- Median
- 4.78
- Q1
- 2.85
- Min
- 0.78
BIIB’s P/B Ratio of 1.13 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
WST
6.18
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 5.04
- Median
- 3.94
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- 1.13
WST’s P/B Ratio of 6.18 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 15.20 | 40.29 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.43 | 6.56 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.13 | 6.18 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 10.81 | 52.25 |