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QGEN vs. RPRX: Qiagen vs. Royalty Pharma Stock Comparison

How do Qiagen (QGEN) 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

Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but QGEN is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while RPRX is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Qiagen (QGEN) has more than two decades of public-market history since June 28, 1996, whereas Royalty Pharma (RPRX) listed on June 16, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Company profile comparison for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
Profile ItemQGENRPRX
NameQiagen N.V.Royalty Pharma plc Class A Ordinary Shares
Country/RegionNetherlandsUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryLife Sciences Tools & ServicesPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryLife Sciences Tools & ServicesPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization10.39 billion USD38.70 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateJune 28, 1996June 16, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

QGEN
RPRX
GSPC
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX), 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Total Return (1Y)17.09%81.08%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)10.44%39.21%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-0.72%14.22%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

QGEN
RPRX
GSPC
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX), 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)35.52%22.05%
Beta (5Y)0.560.36
Max Drawdown (5Y)-41.97%-41.98%
Avg. Volume (3M)3.68M3.10M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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QGEN and RPRX 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.363.48
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.605.72

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 10.81% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.81%

Max
109.18%
QGEN
10.81%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 18.20% and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 25.70% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.20%

QGEN
18.20%
Max
18.05%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.75% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.75%

Max
83.12%
QGEN
27.75%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
ROE (TTM)10.81%12.09%
ROA (TTM)5.68%5.43%
Net Margin (TTM)18.20%25.70%
Operating Margin (TTM)27.75%81.32%
Gross Margin (TTM)67.06%99.79%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 5.65% 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.

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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Qiagen (QGEN) at 409.76% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 23.09%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Revenue Growth (YoY)5.65%5.06%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.81%2.06%
EPS Growth (YoY)409.76%23.09%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.19%161.10%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.63 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 1.29 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for RPRX.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.63

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
QGEN
2.63
Q1
2.47
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 0.47 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 0.88 uses more debt funding than most peers.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.47

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
QGEN
0.47
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.631.29
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.470.88
Net Debt / EBITDA1.084.76

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 0.71% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.71%

QGEN
0.71%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 18.21% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.21%

QGEN
18.21%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.71%1.37%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)18.21%60.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.21 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.21

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
QGEN
27.21
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Qiagen (QGEN) at 4.91 and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 14.79 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.91

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
QGEN
4.91
Q1
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.99 and Royalty Pharma (RPRX) at 4.39 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.99

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
QGEN
2.99
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Royalty Pharma (RPRX): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Royalty Pharma (RPRX)
MetricQGENRPRX
P/E Ratio (TTM)27.2143.99
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.9114.79
P/B Ratio (MRQ)2.994.39
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.62%-1.16%