Contrasting Protagonist Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTGX) & Halozyme Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HALO)

Halozyme Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HALO) and Protagonist Therapeutics (NASDAQ:PTGX) are both healthcare companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and profitability.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

97.8% of Halozyme Therapeutics shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 98.6% of Protagonist Therapeutics shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Halozyme Therapeutics shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.2% of Protagonist Therapeutics shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Halozyme Therapeutics and Protagonist Therapeutics’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Halozyme Therapeutics	24.86%	260.98%	23.91%
Protagonist Therapeutics	29.40%	12.03%	11.23%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Halozyme Therapeutics and Protagonist Therapeutics”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Halozyme Therapeutics	$1.40 billion	8.99	$316.89 million	$3.35	33.03
Protagonist Therapeutics	$281.99 million	31.48	-$130.15 million	$1.03	133.20

Halozyme Therapeutics has higher revenue and earnings than Protagonist Therapeutics. Halozyme Therapeutics is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Protagonist Therapeutics, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Halozyme Therapeutics and Protagonist Therapeutics, as reported by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Halozyme Therapeutics	1	2	9	0	2.67
Protagonist Therapeutics	0	2	16	0	2.89

Halozyme Therapeutics presently has a consensus target price of $91.20, indicating a potential downside of 17.57%. Protagonist Therapeutics has a consensus target price of $147.13, indicating a potential upside of 7.25%. Given Protagonist Therapeutics’ stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Protagonist Therapeutics is more favorable than Halozyme Therapeutics.

Volatility & Risk

Halozyme Therapeutics has a beta of 0.88, indicating that its stock price is 12% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Protagonist Therapeutics has a beta of 1.53, indicating that its stock price is 53% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Protagonist Therapeutics beats Halozyme Therapeutics on 9 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Halozyme Therapeutics

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharma technology platform company, researches, develops, and commercializes proprietary enzymes and devices in the United States, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, and internationally. The company's products are based on the patented recombinant human hyaluronidase enzyme (rHuPH20) that enables delivery of injectable biologics, such as monoclonal antibodies and other therapeutic molecules, as well as small molecules and fluids. It offers Hylenex recombinant, a formulation of rHuPH20 to facilitate subcutaneous (SC) fluid administration for achieving hydration to enhance the dispersion and absorption of other injected drugs in SC urography and to enhance resorption of radiopaque agents; rilpivirine, cabotegravir, and N6LS BNAB for the treatment of HIV; ocrelizumab for multiple sclerosis; XYOSTED, an injection for SC administration of testosterone replacement therapy; and ATRS-1902, a proprietary drug device combination product. The company also provides Herceptin (trastuzumab), Herceptin Hylecta, and Phesgo to treat breast cancer; Mabthera SC for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia; HYQVIA to treat primary immunodeficiency disorders; and DARZALEX for patients with amyloidosis, smoldering myeloma, and multiple myeloma. In addition, it offers Epinephrine Injection to treat allergic reactions; nivolumab+relatlimab and ANTI-TIM3 for the treatment of solid tumors; ARGX-117 for multifocal motor neuropathy; atezolizumab; nivolumab; afgartigimod; teriparatide injections; and OTREXUP, a SC methotrexate injection for adults with severe active rheumatoid arthritis and severe recalcitrant psoriasis, as well as children with active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Further, the company provides ATRS-1902 for adrenal crisis rescue; ARGX-113; and ARGX-117 to treat severe autoimmune diseases in multifocal motor neuropathy. Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

About Protagonist Therapeutics

Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, develops peptide-based drugs for hematology and blood disorders, and inflammatory and immunomodulatory diseases. It is developing Rusfertide (PTG-300), an injectable hepcidin mimetic that completed phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of polycythemia vera and other blood disorders; and JNJ-2113, an orally delivered investigational drug to block biological pathways that completed phase 2b clinical trials for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis; and PN-943, an orally delivered, gut-restricted alpha 4 beta 7 specific integrin antagonist completed a phase 2 clinical trials in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis. The company has a license and collaboration agreement with Takeda to commercialize rusfertide; and JNJ Innovative Medicines to co-develop Interleukin-23 receptor antagonist compound JNJ-2113. Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Newark, California.