MetaCap

Aquestive Therapeutics (AQST) vs Pacira BioSciences (PCRX)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.

Summary

Pacira BioSciences (PCRX) has outperformed Aquestive Therapeutics (AQST) over the past year, gaining 57.5% versus a loss of 28.6%. Over five years, AQST leads with a +23.5% price change compared with -31.7% for PCRX. Pacira BioSciences is the larger company by market cap ($1.45 billion vs $599.9 million), about 2.4 times the size.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AQST-28.55%PCRX+57.46%
+63%+1%-62%
Oct 9, 20251 yearOct 9, 2026
AQST+29.54%PCRX-24.31%
+101%+4%-92%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AQST versus PCRX key metrics
MetricAQSTPCRX
Share price$4.78$36.31
Market cap$599.95M$1.45B
1-day change+0.42%-0.22%
YTD return-26.01%+40.30%
1-year return-28.55%+57.46%
5-year return+23.51%-31.75%
P/E ratio (TTM)—103.74
Forward P/E—10.50
EPS (TTM)$-0.66$0.35
Dividend yield0.00%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)—$726.41M
Revenue growth (YoY)—+3.63%
Net income (latest FY)—$7.03M
Gross margin—79.39%
Operating margin—2.64%
Net margin—0.97%
52-week high$7.55$36.46
52-week low$2.93$18.80
Distance from 52-week high-36.69%-0.41%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+95.19%-17.08%
Average volume2.67M1.03M
Shares outstanding125.51M39.91M
Employees147825
SectorHealth CareHealth Care
IndustryBiotechnology: Pharmaceutical PreparationsBiotechnology: 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 is about 2.4 times larger than Aquestive Therapeutics by market value ($1.45B vs $599.95M).
  • PCRX has outperformed AQST by 86.0 percentage points over the past year.

About Aquestive Therapeutics

AQST stock →

Aquestive Therapeutics, Inc. operates as a pharmaceutical company in the United States and internationally.

Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 147 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

AQST vs PCRX FAQ

Which is bigger, Aquestive Therapeutics or Pacira BioSciences?

Pacira BioSciences (PCRX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.45B compared with $599.95M for Aquestive Therapeutics (AQST).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AQST or PCRX?

PCRX returned +57.46% over the past 12 months, compared with -28.55% for AQST (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Are Aquestive Therapeutics and Pacira BioSciences in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.

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