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Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $7.81 | Market Cap: $74.1 Mil
Sector: Health Care | Industry: Biotechnology

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA)


Market Price (12/4/2025): $7.81
Market Cap: $74.1 Mil
Sector: Health Care
Industry: Biotechnology

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -45%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -131%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -144%
Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -39 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -263%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Precision Medicine. Themes include Biopharmaceutical R&D, and Targeted Therapies.
  Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 467%
2   Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -322%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -322%
3   Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -971%
4   High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 857%
0 Valuation becoming less expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is -45%
1 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Precision Medicine. Themes include Biopharmaceutical R&D, and Targeted Therapies.
2 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -131%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -144%
3 Not profitable at operating income level
Op Inc LTMOperating Income, Last Twelve Months is -39 Mil, Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is -263%
4 Debt is significant
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is 467%
5 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -322%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -322%
6 Yield minus risk free rate is negative
ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is -971%
7 High stock price volatility
Vol 12M is 857%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

VRCA Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA) experienced significant positive stock movement from late August 2025 to early December 2025, driven by several key developments in its financial performance, product commercialization, regulatory progress, and strategic financing.

1. Strong Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results: Verrica Pharmaceuticals reported robust financial results for the third quarter of 2025 on November 14, 2025, significantly surpassing analyst expectations. The company announced an actual EPS of $0.13 against a forecasted -$0.08, marking a 262.5% surprise, and total revenue of $14.3 million compared to a forecasted $5.34 million. This positive financial turnaround from a net loss in Q3 2024 to a non-GAAP net income of $1.2 million in Q3 2025 fueled investor confidence.

2. Continued Commercial Success of YCANTH and International Milestones: The company reported a 120% year-over-year increase in dispensed applicator units of YCANTH for molluscum contagiosum. Furthermore, in September 2025, Verrica received a $10 million cash milestone payment from its Japanese partner, Torii Pharmaceutical, following the approval of YCANTH in Japan. These events demonstrated YCANTH's growing market penetration and successful international collaboration.

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Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
VRCA Return-28%-20%-70%166%-90%-4%-96%
Peers Return2%-1%6%8%-0%2%17%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
VRCA Win Rate33%58%33%42%25%50% 
Peers Win Rate13%8%13%12%10%90% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
VRCA Max Drawdown-61%-21%-80%0%-91%-90% 
Peers Max Drawdown-2%-5%0%-0%-1%-2% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: VRTX, AIXC, ALPS, BBOT, EVMN.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventVRCAS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-89.6%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven864.6%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-63.5%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven173.7%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven210 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-66.8%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven201.3%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days120 days

Compare to VRTX, AIXC, ALPS, BBOT, EVMN


In The Past

Verrica Pharmaceuticals's stock fell -89.6% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 3/15/2021. A -89.6% loss requires a 864.6% gain to breakeven.

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About Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA)

Better Bets than Verrica Pharmaceuticals (VRCA)

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to VRCA. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
10.0%10.0%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-7.7%-7.7%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.9%6.9%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
11.5%11.5%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
8.9%8.9%-5.1%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
10.0%10.0%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-7.7%-7.7%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.9%6.9%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
11.5%11.5%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
8.9%8.9%-5.1%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Verrica Pharmaceuticals

Peers to compare with:

Financials

VRCAVRTXAIXCALPSBBOTEVMNMedian
NameVerrica .Vertex P.AIxCryptoALPS BridgeBi.Evommune  
Mkt Price7.48463.132.541.0711.0721.229.28
Mkt Cap0.1118.4----59.2
Rev LTM1511,7230-01010
Op Inc LTM-39-92-5--93-70-70
FCF LTM-473,337-6--60-64-47
FCF 3Y Avg-422,064-10----10
CFO LTM-473,718-6--60-64-47
CFO 3Y Avg-422,419-10----10

Growth & Margins

VRCAVRTXAIXCALPSBBOTEVMNMedian
NameVerrica .Vertex P.AIxCryptoALPS BridgeBi.Evommune  
Rev Chg LTM5.7%10.3%----8.0%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg433.9%10.5%----222.2%
Rev Chg Q145.4%11.0%----78.2%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM104.8%2.7%----53.7%
Op Mgn LTM-262.9%-0.8%----700.7%-262.9%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-366.2%26.2%-----170.0%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM508.4%1.0%----254.7%
CFO/Rev LTM-322.0%31.7%----635.6%-322.0%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-312.6%23.1%-----144.8%
FCF/Rev LTM-322.1%28.5%----636.5%-322.1%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-314.1%19.8%-----147.2%

Valuation

VRCAVRTXAIXCALPSBBOTEVMNMedian
NameVerrica .Vertex P.AIxCryptoALPS BridgeBi.Evommune  
Mkt Cap0.1118.4----59.2
P/S0.38.5----4.4
P/EBIT-0.122.4----11.2
P/E-0.127.2----13.6
P/CFO-0.126.9----13.4
Total Yield-966.3%3.7%-----481.3%
Dividend Yield0.0%0.0%----0.0%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-394.5%2.3%-----196.1%
D/E7.70.0----3.9
Net D/E4.7-0.0----2.3

Returns

VRCAVRTXAIXCALPSBBOTEVMNMedian
NameVerrica .Vertex P.AIxCryptoALPS BridgeBi.Evommune  
1M Rtn110.1%8.7%---9.9%-8.7%
3M Rtn43.0%16.8%--12.5%-16.8%
6M Rtn25.7%3.9%----14.8%
12M Rtn-36.6%1.3%-----17.6%
3Y Rtn-77.7%44.1%-----16.8%
1M Excs Rtn110.1%8.7%---9.9%-8.7%
3M Excs Rtn39.6%11.3%--4.5%-11.3%
6M Excs Rtn11.0%-10.8%----0.1%
12M Excs Rtn-55.1%-14.6%-----34.9%
3Y Excs Rtn-143.8%-25.9%-----84.9%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
Developing and selling medications for skin diseases requiring medical intervention5912  
Total5912  


Net Income by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Developing and selling medications for skin diseases requiring medical intervention-67    
Total-67    


Assets by Segment
$ Mil20242023202220212020
Developing and selling medications for skin diseases requiring medical intervention   7468
Total   7468


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity446,691
Short Interest: % Change Since 103120256.4%
Average Daily Volume65,333
Days-to-Cover Short Interest6.84
Basic Shares Quantity9,488,055
Short % of Basic Shares4.7%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
6302025812202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025513202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024311202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241105202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024814202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024513202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023229202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231109202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023808202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023509202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022306202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221107202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022811202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022509202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021302202210-K 12/31/2021
93020211112202110-Q 9/30/2021