Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH) vs Pacira BioSciences (PCRX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Pacira BioSciences (PCRX) has outperformed Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH) over the past year, gaining 6.7% versus a loss of 1.1%. Over five years, AMPH leads with a +33.6% price change compared with -52.6% for PCRX. Pacira BioSciences is the larger company by market cap ($1.45 billion vs $1.10 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals trades at a lower forward P/E (8.1x vs 10.5x for Pacira BioSciences).
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 | AMPH | PCRX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $25.77 | $36.31 |
| Market cap | $1.10B | $1.45B |
| 1-day change | +0.90% | +44.09% |
| YTD return | -4.63% | -2.63% |
| 1-year return | -1.12% | +6.69% |
| 5-year return | +33.65% | -52.63% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 15.25 | 103.74 |
| Forward P/E | 8.10 | 10.48 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.69 | $0.35 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| 52-week high | $29.52 | $36.33 |
| 52-week low | $16.65 | $18.80 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.70% | -0.06% |
| Analyst consensus | none | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -12.69% | -17.08% |
| Average volume | 472.61K | 588.87K |
| Shares outstanding | 42.54M | 39.86M |
| Employees | 1,976 | 825 |
| 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
- Pacira BioSciences trades at a higher earnings multiple (103.7x vs 15.2x trailing P/E).
About Amphastar Pharmaceuticals
AMPH stock →Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a bio-pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells generic and proprietary injectable, inhalation, and intranasal products in the United States, China, and France. It offers BAQSIMI, a dry nasal spray used in an emergency for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia; Primatene MIST, an epinephrine inhalation product for the temporary relief of mild symptoms of intermittent asthma; Glucagon for injection emergency kit; Enoxaparin, an injectable form of low molecular weight heparin for the prevention and treatment of deep vein thrombosis; and REXTOVY and Naloxone for opioid overdose.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 1,976 employees
About Pacira BioSciences
PCRX stock →Pacira BioSciences, Inc. engages in the development, manufacture, marketing, distribution, and sale of non-opioid pain management and regenerative health solutions to healthcare practitioners in the United States.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 825 employees
AMPH vs PCRX FAQ
Which is bigger, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals or Pacira BioSciences?
Pacira BioSciences (PCRX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.45B compared with $1.10B for Amphastar Pharmaceuticals (AMPH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AMPH or PCRX?
PCRX returned +6.69% over the past 12 months, compared with -1.12% for AMPH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AMPH or PCRX?
AMPH has the lower trailing P/E at 15.2, versus 103.7 for PCRX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Are Amphastar Pharmaceuticals and Pacira BioSciences in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.