EXAS vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EXAS and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Exact Sciences Corporation | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 10.74 billion USD | 19.60 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqCM | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 1, 2001 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EXAS 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 | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.26% | 4.70% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.30% | 22.63% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 31.02% | 21.74% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -15.22% | -9.09% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 3.67% | 3.90% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 0.94% | -16.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.09M | 0.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.03M | 0.68M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 41.17% | 54.14% |
| Beta | 1.44 | 1.15 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EXAS
-38.37%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 97.92%
- Q3
- 11.99%
- Median
- -19.30%
- Q1
- -51.29%
- Min
- -132.03%
EXAS has a negative Return on Equity of -38.37%. 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
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
EXAS
-34.19%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 73.34%
- Q3
- 18.98%
- Median
- -12.96%
- Q1
- -105.72%
- Min
- -259.82%
EXAS has a negative Net Profit Margin of -34.19%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
WST
16.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
WST’s Net Profit Margin of 16.48% 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)
EXAS
-34.49%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 78.85%
- Q3
- 21.90%
- Median
- -13.30%
- Q1
- -109.94%
- Min
- -278.10%
EXAS has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -34.49%. 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
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
WST’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% 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 | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -38.37% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -16.63% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -34.19% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -34.49% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.19% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EXAS
2.89
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 16.97
- Q3
- 8.39
- Median
- 4.11
- Q1
- 2.64
- Min
- 0.74
EXAS’s Current Ratio of 2.89 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
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 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)
EXAS
0.95
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.92
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
EXAS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Biotechnology industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
-15.18
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.03
- Median
- -9.59
- Q1
- -65.05
- Min
- -163.11
EXAS has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -15.18. 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
- 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 | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.89 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.32 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.95 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -15.18 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS 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
0.30%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.30% 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)
EXAS
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
EXAS 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
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.30% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EXAS
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
P/E Ratio data for EXAS is currently unavailable.
WST
40.47
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
WST’s P/E Ratio of 40.47 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)
EXAS
3.63
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, EXAS’s P/S Ratio of 3.63 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
6.67
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
WST’s P/S Ratio of 6.67 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)
EXAS
4.06
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 22.72
- Q3
- 10.68
- Median
- 4.55
- Q1
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.59
EXAS’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | EXAS | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 40.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.63 | 6.67 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 85.30 | 57.38 |