ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) vs Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT) has outperformed ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) over the past year, gaining 15.3% versus a loss of 8.1%. Over five years, ACAD leads with a +11.8% price change compared with +9.9% for ARQT. ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($3.37 billion vs $3.08 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Arcutis Biotherapeutics is growing revenue faster (+91.3% vs +11.9%).
On valuation, Arcutis Biotherapeutics trades at a lower forward P/E (18.0x vs 22.0x for ACADIA Pharmaceuticals). ACADIA Pharmaceuticals converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 36.5% versus -4.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ACAD | ARQT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $19.58 | $24.49 |
| Market cap | $3.37B | $3.08B |
| 1-day change | -0.36% | +1.32% |
| YTD return | -26.69% | -15.67% |
| 1-year return | -8.12% | +15.30% |
| 5-year return | +11.82% | +9.92% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.78 | 111.32 |
| Forward P/E | 22.04 | 18.01 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.23 | $0.22 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.07B | $376.07M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.87% | +91.34% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $391.00M | $-16.14M |
| Gross margin | 91.69% | 90.24% |
| Operating margin | 9.78% | -3.25% |
| Net margin | 36.49% | -4.29% |
| 52-week high | $30.96 | $31.77 |
| 52-week low | $19.32 | $19.30 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.76% | -22.91% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +64.25% | +51.08% |
| Average volume | 1.85M | 2.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 172.31M | 125.69M |
| Employees | 796 | 354 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ARQT has outperformed ACAD by 23.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Arcutis Biotherapeutics trades at a higher earnings multiple (111.3x vs 8.8x trailing P/E).
- ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 36.5 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -4.3 cents for Arcutis Biotherapeutics.
- Arcutis Biotherapeutics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+91.34% vs +11.87%).
About ACADIA Pharmaceuticals
ACAD stock →ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of medicines for neurological and rare disease in North America. The company offers NUPLAZID (pimavanserin), a selective serotonin inverse agonist/antagonist for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis; and DAYBUE, a novel synthetic analog of the amino-terminal tripeptide of insulin-like growth factor 1 to treat the symptoms of Rett syndrome by reducing neuroinflammation and supporting synaptic function.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 796 employees
About Arcutis Biotherapeutics
ARQT stock →Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing treatments for dermatological diseases. The company's lead product is ZORYVE, a topical roflumilast cream for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 354 employees
ACAD vs ARQT FAQ
Which is bigger, ACADIA Pharmaceuticals or Arcutis Biotherapeutics?
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.37B compared with $3.08B for Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ACAD or ARQT?
ARQT returned +15.30% over the past 12 months, compared with -8.12% for ACAD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ACAD or ARQT?
ACAD has the lower trailing P/E at 8.8, versus 111.3 for ARQT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are ACADIA Pharmaceuticals and Arcutis Biotherapeutics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.