Novavax (NVAX) vs Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Novavax (NVAX) has outperformed Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS) over the past year, gaining 48.4% versus a gain of 3.5%. Over five years, TARS leads with a +153.2% price change compared with -93.2% for NVAX. Tarsus Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($3.42 billion vs $2.10 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
Novavax converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 39.2% versus -14.7%.
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 | NVAX | TARS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $12.75 | $73.16 |
| Market cap | $2.10B | $3.42B |
| 1-day change | +15.80% | +1.30% |
| YTD return | +89.73% | -11.80% |
| 1-year return | +48.43% | +3.54% |
| 5-year return | -93.20% | +153.23% |
| EPS (TTM) | $-1.58 | $-1.08 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.12B | $451.36M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +64.69% | +146.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $440.30M | $-66.42M |
| Gross margin | 93.50% | — |
| Operating margin | 40.30% | -15.72% |
| Net margin | 39.19% | -14.72% |
| 52-week high | $13.39 | $91.53 |
| 52-week low | $6.20 | $53.89 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.78% | -20.07% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +9.80% | +36.00% |
| Average volume | 5.21M | 870.50K |
| Shares outstanding | 164.95M | 46.79M |
| Employees | 749 | 370 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) |
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
- NVAX has outperformed TARS by 44.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Novavax is more profitable, keeping 39.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -14.7 cents for Tarsus Pharmaceuticals.
- Tarsus Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+146.71% vs +64.69%).
About Novavax
NVAX stock →Novavax, Inc., a biotechnology company, engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of vaccines to prevent serious infectious diseases in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company commercializes Nuvaxovid, a COVID-19 vaccine; and R21 Matrix-M adjuvant malaria vaccine.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 749 employees
About Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
TARS stock →Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development and commercialization of therapeutic candidates for eye care in the United States. The company offers XDEMVY, a lotilaner ophthalmic solution for the treatment of demodex blepharitis caused by the infestation of Demodex mites.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 370 employees
NVAX vs TARS FAQ
Which is bigger, Novavax or Tarsus Pharmaceuticals?
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals (TARS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $3.42B compared with $2.10B for Novavax (NVAX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NVAX or TARS?
NVAX returned +48.43% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.54% for TARS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Are Novavax and Tarsus Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) industry within the Health Care sector.