Alkermes (ALKS) vs Zoetis (ZTS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Alkermes (ALKS) has outperformed Zoetis (ZTS) over the past year, gaining 33.9% versus a loss of 49.9%. Over five years, ALKS leads with a +30.9% price change compared with -64.6% for ZTS. Zoetis is the larger company by market cap ($29.57 billion vs $6.95 billion), about 4.3 times the size.
On valuation, Zoetis trades at a lower forward P/E (10.9x vs 22.9x for Alkermes). Zoetis pays a dividend yielding 2.88%, while Alkermes does not currently pay one. Zoetis converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 28.2% versus 16.4%.
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 | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $41.45 | $71.55 |
| Market cap | $6.95B | $29.57B |
| 1-day change | -0.49% | +0.31% |
| YTD return | +48.12% | -43.13% |
| 1-year return | +33.91% | -49.88% |
| 5-year return | +30.87% | -64.62% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 109.07 | 11.77 |
| Forward P/E | 22.92 | 10.93 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.38 | $6.08 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.88% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $2.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.48B | $9.47B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -5.25% | +2.28% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $241.66M | $2.67B |
| Gross margin | 86.69% | 71.84% |
| Operating margin | 17.21% | — |
| Net margin | 16.37% | 28.23% |
| 52-week high | $55.67 | $148.30 |
| 52-week low | $27.00 | $68.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.55% | -51.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.47% | +34.17% |
| Average volume | 1.83M | 5.47M |
| Shares outstanding | 167.76M | 413.22M |
| Employees | 2,050 | 14,500 |
| 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
- Zoetis is about 4.3 times larger than Alkermes by market value ($29.57B vs $6.95B).
- ALKS has outperformed ZTS by 83.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Alkermes trades at a higher earnings multiple (109.1x vs 11.8x trailing P/E).
- Zoetis offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 0.00%).
- Zoetis is more profitable, keeping 28.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 16.4 cents for Alkermes.
- Zoetis grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+2.28% vs -5.25%).
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 Zoetis
ZTS stock →Zoetis Inc. engages in the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of medicines, vaccines, diagnostic products and services, biodevices, genetic tests, and precision animal health solutions for the animal health industry in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 14,500 employees
ALKS vs ZTS FAQ
Which is bigger, Alkermes or Zoetis?
Zoetis (ZTS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $29.57B compared with $6.95B for Alkermes (ALKS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ALKS or ZTS?
ALKS returned +33.91% over the past 12 months, compared with -49.88% for ZTS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ALKS or ZTS?
ZTS has the lower trailing P/E at 11.8, versus 109.1 for ALKS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Alkermes or Zoetis?
Zoetis pays a dividend yielding 2.88%, while Alkermes does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Alkermes and Zoetis in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.