GSK vs. RPRX: GSK vs. Royalty Pharma Stock Comparison
How do GSK (GSK) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) 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
GSK (GSK) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
GSK (GSK) has more than two decades of public-market history since March 28, 1980, whereas Royalty Pharma (RPRX) listed on June 16, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) trades as ordinary local shares, while GSK (GSK) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | GSK plc ADR | Royalty Pharma plc Class A Ordinary Shares |
| Country/Region | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 100.88 billion USD | 38.70 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | March 28, 1980 | June 16, 2020 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 13.73% | 81.08% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 18.65% | 39.21% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 7.97% | 14.22% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 26.25% | 22.05% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.31 | 0.36 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -37.63% | -41.98% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.05M | 3.10M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.36 | 3.48 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.56 | 5.72 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both GSK (GSK) at 28.27% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 12.09% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.27%
- Max
- 109.18%
- GSK
- 28.27%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
12.09%
- Max
- 109.18%
- RPRX
- 12.09%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 25.70% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and GSK (GSK) at 12.97% also retains a top-quartile share.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
12.97%
- Max
- 18.05%
- GSK
- 12.97%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
25.70%
- RPRX
- 25.70%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both GSK (GSK) at 32.14% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 81.32% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
32.14%
- Max
- 83.12%
- GSK
- 32.14%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
81.32%
- Max
- 83.12%
- RPRX
- 81.32%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 28.27% | 12.09% |
| ROA (TTM) | 9.24% | 5.43% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 12.97% | 25.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 32.14% | 81.32% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 73.79% | 99.79% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both GSK (GSK) at 4.11% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 5.06% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
GSK (GSK) at 123.15% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 23.09% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for GSK.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 4.11% | 5.06% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.66% | 2.06% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 123.15% | 23.09% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -27.63% | 161.10% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both GSK (GSK) at 0.86 and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 1.29 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.86
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- GSK
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.10
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.29
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- RPRX
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both GSK (GSK) at 1.30 and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 0.88 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.30
- Max
- 1.42
- GSK
- 1.30
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.88
- Max
- 1.42
- RPRX
- 0.88
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 1.29 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.88 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.88 | 4.76 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both GSK (GSK) at 1.57% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 1.37% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.57%
- GSK
- 1.57%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.37%
- RPRX
- 1.37%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both GSK (GSK) at 63.33% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 60.46% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
63.33%
- GSK
- 63.33%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
60.46%
- RPRX
- 60.46%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.57% | 1.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 63.33% | 60.46% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
GSK (GSK) at 17.54 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 43.99 sits in the richer quartile — RPRX needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.54
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- GSK
- 17.54
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
43.99
- Max
- 85.34
- RPRX
- 43.99
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
GSK (GSK) at 3.01 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 14.79 prices around its industry’s middle — GSK costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.01
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- GSK
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
14.79
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- RPRX
- 14.79
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
On P/B ratio, both GSK (GSK) at 4.02 and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 4.39 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
GSK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.02
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- GSK
- 4.02
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
RPRX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.39
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- RPRX
- 4.39
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | GSK | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 17.54 | 43.99 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.01 | 14.79 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.02 | 4.39 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 5.28% | -1.16% |