ICLR vs. UTHR: ICON vs. United Therapeutics Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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

ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ICLR is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while UTHR is classified in Biotechnology.

Company profile comparison for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Profile Item	ICLR	UTHR
Name	ICON plc	United Therapeutics Corporation
Country/Region	Ireland	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry Group	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences	Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Biotechnology
GICS Sub-Industry	Life Sciences Tools & Services	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	15.34 billion USD	23.94 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	May 15, 1998	June 17, 1999
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ICLR

UTHR

GSPC

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR), 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 ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Total Return (1Y)	30.55%	28.77%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	-6.05%	37.63%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	-5.40%	23.78%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ICLR

UTHR

GSPC

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR), 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 ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	68.62%	35.00%
Beta (5Y)	1.17	0.49
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-76.87%	-33.00%
Avg. Volume (3M)	943.50K	694.55K

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

ICLR and UTHR 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 ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.38	0.70
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.52	1.29

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 19.13% sits in the top ROE quartile, while ICON (ICLR) at 4.70% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for UTHR.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.70%

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
ICLR: 4.70%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

19.13%

Max: 109.18%
UTHR: 19.13%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 38.61% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and ICON (ICLR) at 5.26% also retains a top-quartile share.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.26%

Max: 18.05%
ICLR: 5.26%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

38.61%

UTHR: 38.61%
Max: 18.05%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 28.99% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of ICON (ICLR) at 10.73%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.73%

Max: 83.12%
Q3: 14.77%
ICLR: 10.73%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

28.99%

Max: 83.12%
UTHR: 28.99%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
ROE (TTM)	4.70%	19.13%
ROA (TTM)	0.85%	10.91%
Net Margin (TTM)	5.26%	38.61%
Operating Margin (TTM)	10.73%	28.99%
Gross Margin (TTM)	23.44%	86.34%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both ICON (ICLR) at 0.76% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 10.61% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 13.07% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while ICON (ICLR) at -71.56% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Revenue Growth (YoY)	0.76%	10.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	2.15%	18.02%
EPS Growth (YoY)	-71.56%	13.07%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	-23.82%	22.92%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 4.61 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while ICON (ICLR) at 1.32 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for ICLR.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.32

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
ICLR: 1.32
Min: 0.10

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.61

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
UTHR: 4.61
Q1: 2.47
Min: 0.10

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Only one side’s leverage can be read here: ICON (ICLR) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38 against its industry range, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports no figure this period.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.38

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
ICLR: 0.38
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

Max: 1.42
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00
UTHR: --

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): UTHR does not report debt-to-equity ratio, so it has no value marker; ICLR is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.32	4.61
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.38	--
Net Debt / EBITDA	5.55	-1.53

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither ICON (ICLR) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither ICON (ICLR) nor United Therapeutics (UTHR) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 21.22 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while ICON (ICLR) at 81.90 sits in the richer quartile — ICLR needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

81.90

Max: 85.34
ICLR: 81.90
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.22

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
Median: 26.69
UTHR: 21.22
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

ICON (ICLR) at 1.86 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 7.51 prices around its industry’s middle — ICLR costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.86

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
ICLR: 1.86
Min: 0.01

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.51

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
UTHR: 7.51
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

ICON (ICLR) at 1.68 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile against book while United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 3.80 is valued near its industry’s middle — ICLR is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.

ICLR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.68

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
ICLR: 1.68
Min: -5.59

UTHR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.80

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
UTHR: 3.80
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

ICON (ICLR) vs. United Therapeutics (UTHR): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for ICON (ICLR) and United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Metric	ICLR	UTHR
P/E Ratio (TTM)	81.90	21.22
P/S Ratio (TTM)	1.86	7.51
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	1.68	3.80
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.51%	1.90%