Grifols S.A. (GRFS) vs Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) has outperformed Grifols S.A. (GRFS) over the past year, gaining 60.1% versus a loss of 21.8%. Over five years, LGND leads with a +260.9% price change compared with -47.3% for GRFS. Ligand Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($5.62 billion vs $4.97 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Grifols S.A. trades at a lower forward P/E (5.1x vs 23.6x for Ligand Pharmaceuticals).
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 | GRFS | LGND |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $7.30 | $281.74 |
| Market cap | $4.97B | $5.62B |
| 1-day change | -2.67% | -3.93% |
| YTD return | -19.79% | +55.11% |
| 1-year return | -21.79% | +60.11% |
| 5-year return | -47.26% | +260.89% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.48 | 29.69 |
| Forward P/E | 5.06 | 23.58 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.77 | $9.49 |
| Dividend yield | 1.41% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $268.09M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +60.40% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $124.45M |
| Operating margin | — | 15.29% |
| Net margin | — | 46.42% |
| 52-week high | $9.90 | $326.63 |
| 52-week low | $6.96 | $175.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.26% | -13.74% |
| Analyst consensus | none | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +48.90% | +22.19% |
| Average volume | 580.72K | 262.72K |
| Shares outstanding | 258.22M | 19.94M |
| Employees | 25,258 | 47 |
| 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
- LGND has outperformed GRFS by 81.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Ligand Pharmaceuticals trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.7x vs 9.5x trailing P/E).
- Grifols S.A. offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.41% vs 0.00%).
About Grifols S.A.
GRFS stock →Grifols, S.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and marketing of plasma-derived medicines in the United States, Canada, Spain, Europe, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Biopharma, Diagnostic, Bio Supplies, and Others.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 25,258 employees
About Ligand Pharmaceuticals
LGND stock →Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, a biopharmaceutical company, develops and licenses biopharmaceutical assets worldwide. It offers Pradefovir, Posaconazole, Voriconazole, CAPVAXIVE, NOXAFIL, MenFive, and ZELSUVMI for infectious disease; EVOMELA and KYPROLIS for multiple myeloma; FILSPARI for the treatment of immunoglobulin a nephropathy; PNEUMOSIL, a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to help fight against pneumococcal pneumonia in children; and QARZIBA to treat neuroblastoma.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 47 employees
GRFS vs LGND FAQ
Which is bigger, Grifols S.A. or Ligand Pharmaceuticals?
Ligand Pharmaceuticals (LGND) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.62B compared with $4.97B for Grifols S.A. (GRFS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GRFS or LGND?
LGND returned +60.11% over the past 12 months, compared with -21.79% for GRFS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, GRFS or LGND?
GRFS has the lower trailing P/E at 9.5, versus 29.7 for LGND. 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, Grifols S.A. or Ligand Pharmaceuticals?
Grifols S.A. pays a dividend yielding 1.41%, while Ligand Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Grifols S.A. and Ligand Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.