BIIB vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here’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 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 | 29.22 billion USD | 22.77 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 17, 1991 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
BIIB’s market capitalization stands at 29.22 billion USD, while WST’s is 22.77 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
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 | 4.66% | 3.98% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -1.61% | 29.46% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 30.71% | 15.20% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 67.51% | 51.27% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.58% | 8.30% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.48% | 17.14% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.13M | 0.94M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.29M | 0.98M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.02% | 39.57% |
| Beta | 0.17 | 1.17 |
WST carries a higher beta at 1.17, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while BIIB (beta: 0.17) exhibits greater stability.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BIIB
7.28%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 101.12%
- Q3
- 11.08%
- Median
- -14.86%
- Q1
- -50.39%
- Min
- -131.19%
BIIB’s Return on Equity of 7.28% is on par with the norm for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
WST
17.87%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 28.52%
- Q3
- 13.24%
- Median
- 8.17%
- Q1
- 2.40%
- Min
- -12.72%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.87% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BIIB
13.07%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.56%
- Q3
- 21.88%
- Median
- 0.40%
- Q1
- -143.75%
- Min
- -310.18%
BIIB’s Net Profit Margin of 13.07% 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
16.85%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 22.53%
- Q3
- 17.19%
- Median
- 8.34%
- Q1
- 4.46%
- Min
- -12.54%
WST’s Net Profit Margin of 16.85% 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
17.42%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 75.52%
- Q3
- 24.73%
- Median
- 3.39%
- Q1
- -128.75%
- Min
- -343.63%
BIIB’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.42% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
WST
20.34%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.96%
- Q3
- 20.40%
- Median
- 15.73%
- Q1
- 7.36%
- Min
- -10.36%
WST’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.34% 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) | 7.28% | 17.87% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.50% | 13.21% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.07% | 16.85% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.42% | 20.34% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 75.69% | 36.28% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
2.68
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.15
- Q3
- 10.29
- Median
- 4.47
- Q1
- 2.61
- Min
- 0.67
BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.68 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
WST
2.71
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.54
- Q3
- 3.13
- Median
- 1.78
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.75
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.71 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
0.34
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.63
- Median
- 0.10
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
BIIB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.34 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
- 1.58
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.47
- Q1
- 0.13
- 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
4.24
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- -8.45
- Q1
- -60.58
- Min
- -132.16
BIIB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.24 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
- 27.84
- Q3
- 15.46
- Median
- 3.72
- Q1
- 0.22
- Min
- -3.69
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) | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.03 | 2.04 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.34 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.24 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -7.14% | 21.05% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 2.22% | 11.23% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | -0.93% | 2.12% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | -5.96% | 7.44% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | WST |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -- | 55.85% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -21.30% | 17.51% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -25.04% | -4.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | -18.77% | 8.26% |
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
0.26%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.51%
- Q3
- 0.73%
- Median
- 0.38%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.26% 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
11.39%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 114.43%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 18.07%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 11.39% 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% | 0.26% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 11.39% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
22.70
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 90.45
- Q3
- 48.61
- Median
- 23.97
- Q1
- 15.30
- Min
- 3.74
BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 22.70 is within the middle range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
WST
42.98
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 94.65
- Q3
- 53.58
- Median
- 31.96
- Q1
- 24.58
- Min
- 15.86
WST’s P/E Ratio of 42.98 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
2.97
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 58.50
- Q3
- 30.98
- Median
- 9.16
- Q1
- 5.02
- Min
- 0.76
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.97 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
7.24
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 9.43
- Q3
- 5.64
- Median
- 3.95
- Q1
- 2.83
- Min
- 0.87
WST’s P/S Ratio of 7.24 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
1.41
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 21.94
- Q3
- 10.96
- Median
- 5.20
- Q1
- 3.09
- Min
- 0.57
BIIB’s P/B Ratio of 1.41 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
5.94
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.83
- Q3
- 5.22
- Median
- 3.36
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.87
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.94 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) | 22.70 | 42.98 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.97 | 7.24 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.41 | 5.94 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.53 | 50.93 |