BIIB vs. WST: Biogen vs. West Pharmaceutical Services Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) 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

Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BIIB is classified in Biotechnology while WST is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.

Company profile comparison for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Profile Item	BIIB	WST
Name	Biogen Inc.	West Pharmaceutical Services Inc.
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Life Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-Industry	Biotechnology	Life Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization	36.71 billion USD	27.85 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	NYSE
Listing Date	September 17, 1991	March 17, 1980
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BIIB

WST

GSPC

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST), 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 Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Total Return (1Y)	65.44%	51.68%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	4.62%	7.13%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-0.96%	0.05%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BIIB

WST

GSPC

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST), 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 Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	34.58%	31.45%
Beta (5Y)	0.08	1.13
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-64.35%	-59.29%
Avg. Volume (3M)	1.05M	603.86K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

BIIB and WST 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 Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.77	1.51
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	2.77	2.35

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 21.23% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Biogen (BIIB) at 1.87% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for WST.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.87%

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
BIIB: 1.87%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.23%

Max: 109.18%
WST: 21.23%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 18.81% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Biogen (BIIB) at 3.38% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.38%

Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
BIIB: 3.38%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.81%

WST: 18.81%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Biogen (BIIB) at 24.12% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 25.37% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

24.12%

Max: 83.12%
BIIB: 24.12%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.37%

Max: 83.12%
WST: 25.37%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
ROE (TTM)	1.87%	21.23%
ROA (TTM)	4.94%	11.89%
Net Margin (TTM)	3.38%	18.81%
Operating Margin (TTM)	24.12%	25.37%
Gross Margin (TTM)	75.77%	37.59%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Biogen (BIIB) at 2.22% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 6.25% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Biogen (BIIB) at -21.38% and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 1.49% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Revenue Growth (YoY)	2.22%	6.25%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	-0.94%	2.12%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-21.38%	1.49%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-25.04%	-4.23%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 2.82 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Biogen (BIIB) at 1.95 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for BIIB.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.95

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
BIIB: 1.95
Min: 0.10

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.82

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
WST: 2.82
Q1: 2.47
Min: 0.10

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Biogen (BIIB) at 0.41 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 0.11 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.41

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
BIIB: 0.41
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.11

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
WST: 0.11
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.95	2.82
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.41	0.11
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.97	-0.16

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) reports a yield of 0.22%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BIIB: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.22%

WST: 0.22%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) reports a payout of 9.88%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BIIB: 0.00%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.88%

WST: 9.88%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.22%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	9.88%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both look expensive on trailing earnings: West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 44.87 sits in the richer P/E ratio quartile, and Biogen (BIIB) at 107.51 is richer still, above its industry range.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

107.51

BIIB: 107.51
Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.87

Max: 85.34
WST: 44.87
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): 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 Biogen (BIIB) at 3.57 and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 8.20 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.57

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
BIIB: 3.57
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.20

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
WST: 8.20
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Biogen (BIIB) at 1.94 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) at 9.40 carries an above-peer premium to book — WST is pricier on assets.

BIIB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.94

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
BIIB: 1.94
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

WST

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.40

Max: 13.53
WST: 9.40
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Biogen (BIIB) vs. West Pharmaceutical Services (WST): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Biogen (BIIB) and West Pharmaceutical Services (WST)
Metric	BIIB	WST
P/E Ratio (TTM)	107.51	44.87
P/S Ratio (TTM)	3.57	8.20
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	1.94	9.40
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	2.20%	1.24%