IQV vs. RPRX: IQVIA vs. Royalty Pharma Stock Comparison
How do IQVIA (IQV) 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
IQVIA (IQV) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but IQV is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while RPRX is classified in Pharmaceuticals.
| Profile Item | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | IQVIA Holdings Inc. | Royalty Pharma plc Class A Ordinary Shares |
| Country/Region | United States | 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 | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 44.80 billion USD | 38.70 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | May 9, 2013 | June 16, 2020 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 32.11% | 81.08% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 13.15% | 39.21% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 2.00% | 14.22% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 40.77% | 22.05% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.36 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.52% | -41.98% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.40M | 3.10M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.68 | 3.48 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.03 | 5.72 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 21.39% 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.39%
- Max
- 109.18%
- IQV
- 21.39%
- 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 IQVIA (IQV) at 8.05% also retains a top-quartile share.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.05%
- Max
- 18.05%
- IQV
- 8.05%
- 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)
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 81.32% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of IQVIA (IQV) at 13.73%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.73%
- Max
- 83.12%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- IQV
- 13.73%
- 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 | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 21.39% | 12.09% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.08% | 5.43% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 8.05% | 25.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 13.73% | 81.32% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 33.07% | 99.79% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 5.87% 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
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 4.67% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 23.09% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 5.87% | 5.06% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.21% | 2.06% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 4.67% | 23.09% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 11.08% | 161.10% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 0.83 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.83
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- IQV
- 0.83
- 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 balance sheets lean debt-heavy versus peers, but IQV is more stretched: Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 0.88 sits in the higher-leverage quartile and IQVIA (IQV) at 2.40 is above its industry benchmark range.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.40
- IQV
- 2.40
- Max
- 1.42
- 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 | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 1.29 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 2.40 | 0.88 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.46 | 4.76 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IQVIA (IQV) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Royalty Pharma (RPRX) reports a yield of 1.37%, ranking against industry peers normally.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- IQV
- 0.00%
- 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)
IQVIA (IQV) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Royalty Pharma (RPRX) reports a payout of 60.46%, ranking against industry peers normally.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- IQV
- 0.00%
- 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 | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 1.37% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 60.46% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
IQVIA (IQV) at 33.07 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.07
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- IQV
- 33.07
- Median
- 26.69
- 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)
IQVIA (IQV) at 2.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 14.79 prices around its industry’s middle — IQV costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.59
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- IQV
- 2.59
- 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)
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 4.39 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while IQVIA (IQV) at 6.73 carries an above-peer premium to book — IQV is pricier on assets.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.73
- Max
- 13.53
- IQV
- 6.73
- Q3
- 6.54
- 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 | IQV | RPRX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 33.07 | 43.99 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.59 | 14.79 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 6.73 | 4.39 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.72% | -1.16% |