IQV vs. PFE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IQV and PFE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | IQVIA Holdings Inc. | Pfizer Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 37.61 billion USD | 145.01 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 9, 2013 | June 1, 1972 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IQV and PFE 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 | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.55% | 2.75% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 15.45% | -0.32% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 46.41% | 9.58% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 4.30% | -6.21% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 1.92% | 1.66% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.26% | -5.54% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.59M | 126.04M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.65M | 58.66M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.67% | 28.86% |
| Beta | 1.37 | 0.43 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IQV
21.40%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 23.81%
- Q3
- 11.79%
- Median
- 7.51%
- Q1
- 3.14%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 21.40% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
PFE
10.92%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.95%
- Q3
- 20.34%
- Median
- 11.59%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -10.91%
PFE’s Return on Equity of 10.92% is on par with the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
IQV
8.07%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.77%
- Q3
- 17.97%
- Median
- 8.97%
- Q1
- 3.80%
- Min
- -11.89%
IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 8.07% 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.
PFE
15.65%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.07%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 5.73%
- Min
- -8.86%
PFE’s Net Profit Margin of 15.65% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
IQV
13.69%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 31.55%
- Q3
- 21.26%
- Median
- 14.06%
- Q1
- 8.54%
- Min
- 0.11%
IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.69% 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.
PFE
16.52%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.58%
- Q3
- 24.35%
- Median
- 18.05%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -11.88%
PFE’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.52% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.40% | 10.92% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.60% | 4.70% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.07% | 15.65% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.69% | 16.52% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.78% | 74.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IQV
0.70
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.87
- Median
- 1.75
- Q1
- 1.37
- Min
- 0.57
IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.70 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
PFE
1.28
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 5.45
- Q3
- 2.99
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.29
- Min
- 0.78
PFE’s Current Ratio of 1.28 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
IQV
2.43
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 0.95
- Q3
- 0.70
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.43, IQV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
PFE
0.67
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.78
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.08
- Min
- 0.00
PFE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.67 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
IQV
3.68
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
IQV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.68 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
PFE
7.89
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 10.15
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- -42.71
PFE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.89 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.70 | 1.28 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 0.97 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.43 | 0.67 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.68 | 7.89 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.02%
- Q3
- 0.67%
- Median
- 0.32%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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.
PFE
6.72%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.72%
- Q3
- 3.48%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.72%, PFE offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 97.67%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 18.53%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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.
PFE
98.75%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 85.87%
- Median
- 49.36%
- Q1
- 1.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
PFE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 98.75% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 6.72% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 98.75% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IQV
29.38
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 78.22
- Q3
- 57.42
- Median
- 34.18
- Q1
- 28.39
- Min
- 1.55
IQV’s P/E Ratio of 29.38 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.
PFE
14.69
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 52.64
- Q3
- 29.89
- Median
- 20.77
- Q1
- 13.37
- Min
- 5.71
PFE’s P/E Ratio of 14.69 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals 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)
IQV
2.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.69
- Q3
- 6.37
- Median
- 4.95
- Q1
- 3.27
- Min
- 1.04
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 2.37 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.
PFE
2.30
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.74
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 1.67
- Min
- 0.11
PFE’s P/S Ratio of 2.30 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
IQV
5.24
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 5.04
- Median
- 3.94
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- 1.13
IQV’s P/B Ratio of 5.24 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.
PFE
1.46
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.86
- Q3
- 5.28
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.59
PFE’s P/B Ratio of 1.46 is in the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IQV | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.38 | 14.69 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.37 | 2.30 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.24 | 1.46 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.05 | 12.47 |