ACAD

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals

Fundamental data last updated:April 13, 2026

company profile

SECTOR

Healthcare

industry

Biotechnology

Exchange

Nasdaq

County of HQ

United States

Next Earnings Date

05/06/26

Business Summary

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing therapies for central nervous system disorders. The business model centers on advancing proprietary drug candidates through clinical development and monetizing them via regulatory approvals and commercialization, generating revenue from product sales rather than diversified service lines. Its moat is built on intellectual property, regulatory exclusivity, and specialized expertise in CNS biology, which create high barriers to entry. Cash generation flows from successful drug commercialization supported by strong operating margins, allowing reinvestment into pipeline expansion while maintaining balance sheet strength.

VALUATION

P/E

9.5

Market Cap ($M USD)

$3,706

Forward P/E

23.6

PEG

1.3

PRICE TO SALES

3.5

PRICE TO BOOK

3

EV / EBITDA

25.2

5-Year Average P/E

DIVIDEND

Yield

-

Annual Payout

-

Payout Ratio

-

Consecutive Years of Dividend Growth

0

5-Year Dividend Growth Rate

-

Financial Health & Profitability

Earnings Per Share

$2.32

Next Year EPS Growth Estimate

$0.92

Next Year Revenue Growth Estimate

11.60%

Return on Equity (ROE)

31.90%

Operating Margin

9.80%

Debt-to-Equity

0

Piotroski F-Score

5

Altman Z-Score

6.5

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

35.50%%

Current Ratio

3.8

Quick Ratio

Gainseekers Quantitative Analysis

Summary

At 9.5x earnings with a Forward P/E of 23.6, the market is clearly pricing in a deceleration from the current EPS base of 25.2 to a more normalized growth path, yet the balance sheet strength implied by an Altman Z-Score of 6.5 and a Current Ratio of 3.8 suggests financial risk is minimal. A PEG Forward of 1.3 indicates growth is not being given away for free, but it is far from speculative excess. With a Market Cap of $3,706M and Price/Sales of 3.5, this is not distressed biotech pricing — it is a profitable, capital-efficient operator being valued as a moderate grower. The setup looks more like a GARP name temporarily misunderstood than a broken balance sheet situation.

AI Exposure / Tech Reliance

As a biotechnology company in the Healthcare sector, ACAD sits in an industry increasingly driven by data analytics, AI-assisted drug discovery, and precision medicine. The ability to leverage modern computational tools can compress R&D timelines and improve pipeline productivity. Companies that combine strong operating margins with tech-enabled development frameworks are structurally advantaged in this environment.

The Bull Case

A GARP investor buys this because the profitability metrics are not theoretical — they are tangible. Operating Margin of 31.90% and ROIC of 35.50% signal a business that converts invested capital into real economic profit, not just accounting earnings. Return on Equity at 11.60% alongside a Piotroski F-Score of 5 shows operational stability without obvious financial distress, and the Altman Z-Score of 6.5 reinforces solvency strength. Debt/Equity of 9.80% is conservative, giving management flexibility, while a Price/Book of 3 paired with high ROIC suggests the company is earning well above its cost of capital — the core requirement for long-term compounding.

The Bear Case

The headline concern is the valuation reset embedded in the numbers: EPS of 25.2 versus EPS Next Year (Est.) of $2.32 implies a dramatic normalization that the Forward P/E of 23.6 already reflects. A PEG Forward of 1.3 does not scream bargain in a biotech name where growth durability is uncertain, and Sales Growth Next Year listed at $0.92 suggests limited top-line acceleration relative to valuation. Institutional Ownership at $31.80 indicates the register is not overwhelmingly supported by large long-only funds, and the absence of dividend support (TTM Yield 0, Dividend 5-Year Avg 0) means total return depends entirely on execution. If margins compress from the current 31.90%, the equity multiple could contract quickly.

Market Sentiment & Smart Money

Short Interest %

7.90%

Analyst Consensus

1.73

Average Analyst Price Target

$31.80

Institutional Ownership %

99.50%

1-Year Beta

1.15

Insider Buying % (6 Mo)

0.60%%

Distance to 52-Week High

76.70%%

Distance to 52-Week Low

158.30%%