Seek Returns logo

BNTX vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

Here’s a clear look at BNTX and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

BNTX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, WST is a standard domestic listing.

SymbolBNTXWST
Company NameBioNTech SEWest Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
CountryGermanyUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyLife Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization25.26 billion USD17.78 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNYSE
Listing DateOctober 10, 2019March 17, 1980
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BNTX 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.

BNTX vs. WST: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolBNTXWST
5-Day Price Return-5.68%0.09%
13-Week Price Return6.06%18.57%
26-Week Price Return-12.13%22.09%
52-Week Price Return20.45%-17.74%
Month-to-Date Return-2.26%3.32%
Year-to-Date Return-7.79%-24.53%
10-Day Avg. Volume0.64M0.51M
3-Month Avg. Volume0.97M0.75M
3-Month Volatility44.46%53.39%
Beta1.521.06

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BNTX

-1.82%

Biotechnology Industry

Max
77.14%
Q3
10.76%
Median
-20.08%
Q1
-42.71%
Min
-119.20%

BNTX has a negative Return on Equity of -1.82%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

WST

17.66%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
19.96%
Q3
11.55%
Median
6.22%
Q1
3.86%
Min
-6.95%

In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BNTX

-24.18%

Biotechnology Industry

Max
59.44%
Q3
16.21%
Median
-11.49%
Q1
-167.42%
Min
-409.07%

BNTX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -24.18%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

WST

16.48%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
27.28%
Q3
16.17%
Median
7.24%
Q1
3.00%
Min
-3.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 16.48% places WST in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BNTX

-47.73%

Biotechnology Industry

Max
60.62%
Q3
20.76%
Median
-12.41%
Q1
-181.14%
Min
-482.02%

BNTX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -47.73%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

WST

19.65%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
33.15%
Q3
19.34%
Median
13.02%
Q1
8.05%
Min
-4.38%

An Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% places WST in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolBNTXWST
Return on Equity (TTM)-1.82%17.66%
Return on Assets (TTM)-1.57%13.10%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)-24.18%16.48%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)-47.73%19.65%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)84.90%35.27%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BNTX

8.61

Biotechnology Industry

Max
19.31
Q3
9.38
Median
4.54
Q1
2.45
Min
0.76

BNTX’s Current Ratio of 8.61 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

WST

2.78

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
4.76
Q3
2.77
Median
1.85
Q1
1.40
Min
0.43

WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 is in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BNTX

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max
1.35
Q3
0.64
Median
0.09
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

BNTX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 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
1.75
Q3
0.83
Median
0.41
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.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BNTX

-1.43

Biotechnology Industry

Max
72.37
Q3
1.91
Median
-7.81
Q1
-63.90
Min
-153.80

BNTX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.43. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

WST

130.12

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
29.61
Q3
23.24
Median
6.07
Q1
2.18
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.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolBNTXWST
Current Ratio (MRQ)8.612.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)8.482.08
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.010.07
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)-1.43130.12

Growth

Revenue Growth

BNTX vs. WST: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BNTX vs. WST: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BNTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BNTX 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

0.35%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
1.80%
Q3
0.78%
Median
0.37%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.35% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BNTX

17.60%

Biotechnology Industry

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

At 17.60%, BNTX’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

WST

12.32%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
156.00%
Q3
65.73%
Median
23.81%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolBNTXWST
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.35%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)17.60%12.32%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BNTX

--

Biotechnology Industry

Max
60.14
Q3
38.17
Median
29.01
Q1
15.12
Min
0.00

P/E Ratio data for BNTX is currently unavailable.

WST

35.08

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
117.96
Q3
65.59
Median
37.26
Q1
27.51
Min
1.73

WST’s P/E Ratio of 35.08 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.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BNTX

8.35

Biotechnology Industry

Max
76.98
Q3
36.53
Median
9.49
Q1
4.49
Min
0.00

BNTX’s P/S Ratio of 8.35 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

WST

5.78

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
12.46
Q3
6.70
Median
4.24
Q1
2.68
Min
0.73

WST’s P/S Ratio of 5.78 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BNTX

1.19

Biotechnology Industry

Max
20.53
Q3
9.76
Median
4.77
Q1
2.49
Min
0.59

BNTX’s P/B Ratio of 1.19 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

5.37

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
7.99
Q3
4.69
Median
3.30
Q1
1.88
Min
1.02

WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 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.

BNTX vs. WST: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolBNTXWST
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)--35.08
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)8.355.78
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)1.195.37
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)196.3949.74