Royalty Pharma (RPRX) vs United Therapeutics (UTHR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) has outperformed United Therapeutics (UTHR) over the past year, gaining 57.2% versus a gain of 18.7%. Over five years, UTHR leads with a +184.8% price change compared with +47.9% for RPRX. Royalty Pharma is the larger company by market cap ($32.48 billion vs $22.85 billion), about 1.4 times the size, while United Therapeutics is growing revenue faster (+10.6% vs +5.1%).
On valuation, Royalty Pharma trades at a lower forward P/E (9.8x vs 17.0x for United Therapeutics). Royalty Pharma pays a dividend yielding 1.62%, while United Therapeutics does not currently pay one. United Therapeutics converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 41.9% versus 32.4%.
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 | RPRX | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.21 | $532.78 |
| Market cap | $32.48B | $22.85B |
| 1-day change | -0.97% | -2.24% |
| YTD return | +46.89% | +9.34% |
| 1-year return | +57.23% | +18.68% |
| 5-year return | +47.85% | +184.80% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.90 | 19.08 |
| Forward P/E | 9.80 | 17.04 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.88 | $27.92 |
| Dividend yield | 1.62% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.91 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.38B | $3.18B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.06% | +10.61% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $770.95M | $1.33B |
| Gross margin | — | 87.92% |
| Operating margin | 65.58% | 46.89% |
| Net margin | 32.42% | 41.94% |
| 52-week high | $64.38 | $609.35 |
| 52-week low | $35.23 | $409.07 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.69% | -12.57% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +16.31% | +21.93% |
| Average volume | 2.93M | 655.10K |
| Shares outstanding | 445.28M | 42.89M |
| Employees | 100 | 1,400 |
| 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
- RPRX has outperformed UTHR by 38.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Royalty Pharma trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.9x vs 19.1x trailing P/E).
- Royalty Pharma offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.62% vs 0.00%).
- United Therapeutics is more profitable, keeping 41.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 32.4 cents for Royalty Pharma.
- United Therapeutics grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+10.61% vs +5.06%).
About Royalty Pharma
RPRX stock →Royalty Pharma plc operates as a buyer of biopharmaceutical royalties and a funder of innovation in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States. Its portfolio consists of royalties on approximately 35 marketed therapies and 20 development-stage product candidates that address various therapeutic areas, such as rare disease, oncology, neuroscience, infectious disease, hematology, and diabetes.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 100 employees
About United Therapeutics
UTHR stock →United Therapeutics Corporation engages in the development and commercialization of products to address the unmet medical needs of patients with chronic and life-threatening diseases in the United States and internationally. It offers Tyvaso DPI, an inhaled dry powder via pre-filled and single-use cartridges; Nebulized Tyvaso, an inhaled solution via ultrasonic nebulizer; Remodulin (treprostinil) injection to treat patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension to diminish symptoms associated with exercise; Orenitram, a tablet dosage form of treprostinil, to delay disease progression and improve exercise capacity in PAH patients; and Adcirca, an oral PDE-5 inhibitor to enhance the exercise ability in PAH patients.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 1,400 employees
RPRX vs UTHR FAQ
Which is bigger, Royalty Pharma or United Therapeutics?
Royalty Pharma (RPRX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $32.48B compared with $22.85B for United Therapeutics (UTHR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, RPRX or UTHR?
RPRX returned +57.23% over the past 12 months, compared with +18.68% for UTHR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, RPRX or UTHR?
UTHR has the lower trailing P/E at 19.1, versus 29.9 for RPRX. 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, Royalty Pharma or United Therapeutics?
Royalty Pharma pays a dividend yielding 1.62%, while United Therapeutics does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Royalty Pharma and United Therapeutics in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.