Alkermes (ALKS) vs Viatris (VTRS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Viatris (VTRS) has outperformed Alkermes (ALKS) over the past year, gaining 76.6% versus a gain of 29.4%. Over five years, VTRS leads with a +31.1% price change compared with +28.2% for ALKS. Viatris is the larger company by market cap ($20.26 billion vs $6.81 billion), about 3.0 times the size.
On valuation, Viatris trades at a lower forward P/E (6.6x vs 22.5x for Alkermes). Viatris pays a dividend yielding 2.72%, while Alkermes does not currently pay one. Alkermes converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 16.4% versus -24.6%.
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 | ALKS | VTRS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $40.61 | $17.64 |
| Market cap | $6.81B | $20.26B |
| 1-day change | +1.25% | +1.15% |
| YTD return | +45.14% | +41.69% |
| 1-year return | +29.41% | +76.58% |
| 5-year return | +28.23% | +31.05% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 106.87 | — |
| Forward P/E | 22.46 | 6.60 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.38 | $-0.36 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.72% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.48 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.48B | $14.30B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -5.25% | -2.98% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $241.66M | $-3.51B |
| Gross margin | 86.69% | 35.06% |
| Operating margin | 17.21% | -18.62% |
| Net margin | 16.37% | -24.58% |
| 52-week high | $55.67 | $18.43 |
| 52-week low | $27.00 | $9.73 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -27.05% | -4.29% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +38.59% | +11.68% |
| Average volume | 1.86M | 9.27M |
| Shares outstanding | 167.76M | 1.15B |
| Employees | 2,050 | 30,000 |
| 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
- Viatris is about 3.0 times larger than Alkermes by market value ($20.26B vs $6.81B).
- VTRS has outperformed ALKS by 47.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Viatris offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.72% vs 0.00%).
- Alkermes is more profitable, keeping 16.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -24.6 cents for Viatris.
About Alkermes
ALKS stock →Alkermes plc, a biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of pharmaceutical products to address unmet medical needs of patients in therapeutic areas in the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company has a portfolio of proprietary commercial products for the treatment of opioid dependence, alcohol dependence, schizophrenia, bipolar I, and a pipeline of clinical and preclinical product candidates in development for neurological disorders.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 2,050 employees
About Viatris
VTRS stock →Viatris Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a healthcare company in North America, Europe, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, rest of Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It operates in four segments: Developed Markets, Greater China, JANZ, and Emerging Markets.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 30,000 employees
ALKS vs VTRS FAQ
Which is bigger, Alkermes or Viatris?
Viatris (VTRS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $20.26B compared with $6.81B for Alkermes (ALKS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALKS or VTRS?
VTRS returned +76.58% over the past 12 months, compared with +29.41% for ALKS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alkermes or Viatris?
Viatris pays a dividend yielding 2.72%, while Alkermes does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Alkermes and Viatris in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.