AMGN vs. VKTX

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

AMGN (Amgen Inc.) and VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, Inc.) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — AMGN in Drug Manufacturers - General, VKTX in Biotechnology. Over the past 10 years, AMGN returned 11.65%/yr vs 36.31%/yr for VKTX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

AMGN vs. VKTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Amgen Inc. (AMGN) and Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AMGN achieves a 7.16% return, which is significantly higher than VKTX's -16.88% return. Over the past 10 years, AMGN has underperformed VKTX with an annualized return of 11.65%, while VKTX has yielded a comparatively higher 36.31% annualized return.

AMGN

• 1D: -1.10%
• 1M: 5.02%
• YTD: 7.16%
• 6M: 9.19%
• 1Y: 22.66%
• 3Y*: 20.11%
• 5Y*: 11.06%
• 10Y*: 11.65%

VKTX

• 1D: 2.78%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: -16.88%
• 6M: -23.01%
• 1Y: 5.07%
• 3Y*: 6.41%
• 5Y*: 39.22%
• 10Y*: 36.31%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

AMGN vs. VKTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AMGN Amgen Inc.	7.16%	29.67%	-6.77%	13.46%	20.43%	0.87%	-1.99%	27.60%	15.23%	22.27%
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	-16.88%	-12.57%	116.23%	97.98%	104.35%	-18.29%	-29.80%	4.84%	88.42%	241.18%

Correlation

The correlation between AMGN and VKTX is 0.33, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.33
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.27
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.23
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.25
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 2015	0.22

The correlation between AMGN and VKTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.22 (all time) to 0.33 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap AMGN : $188.08B VKTX : $3.38B
EPS AMGN : $14.38 VKTX : -$4.16
PB Ratio AMGN : 20.47 VKTX : 6.73
Total Revenue (TTM) AMGN : $37.24B VKTX : $0.00
Gross Profit (TTM) AMGN : $26.61B VKTX : -$208.00K
EBITDA (TTM) AMGN : $17.27B VKTX : -$501.77M

Return for Risk

AMGN vs. VKTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AMGN

AMGN Risk / Return Rank: 66
AMGN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 69
AMGN Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
AMGN Omega Ratio Rank: 62
AMGN Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
AMGN Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VKTX

VKTX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VKTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VKTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VKTX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VKTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VKTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AMGN vs. VKTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Amgen Inc. (AMGN) and Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AMGN	VKTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.83	0.07	+0.76
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.40	0.63	+0.77
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.10	+0.07
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.37	0.11	+1.26
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.21	0.23	+2.98
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AMGN vs. VKTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AMGN Sharpe Ratio is 0.83, which is higher than the VKTX Sharpe Ratio of 0.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AMGN and VKTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AMGN	VKTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.83	0.07	+0.76
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.47	0.39	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.38	+0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.61	0.11	+0.50

Drawdowns

AMGN vs. VKTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AMGN drawdown since its inception was -63.48%, smaller than the maximum VKTX drawdown of -90.41%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AMGN and VKTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	AMGN	VKTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.48%	-90.41%	+26.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-16.57%	-45.14%	+28.57%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.74%	-78.86%	+56.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-24.86%	-78.86%	+54.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-24.86%	-89.26%	+64.40%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.26%	-69.06%	+58.80%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-16.78%	-60.02%	+43.24%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.09%	22.54%	-15.45%

Volatility

AMGN vs. VKTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Amgen Inc. (AMGN) is 6.37%, while Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) has a volatility of 14.20%. This indicates that AMGN experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VKTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AMGN	VKTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.37%	14.20%	-7.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.14%	40.45%	-21.31%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.38%	74.12%	-46.74%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.89%	101.63%	-77.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.82%	97.07%	-72.25%

Dividends

AMGN vs. VKTX - Dividend Comparison

AMGN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.83%, while VKTX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AMGN Amgen Inc.	2.83%	2.91%	3.45%	2.96%	2.95%	3.13%	2.78%	2.41%	2.71%	2.65%	2.74%	1.95%
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both AMGN and VKTX in my portfolio?

AMGN and VKTX have a correlation of 0.33, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, AMGN or VKTX?

VKTX has higher volatility (14.20%) compared to AMGN (6.37%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AMGN dropped -63.48% vs VKTX's -90.41%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

AMGN currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.83 vs 0.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.