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1. Company Snapshot

1.a. Company Description

Medpace Holdings, Inc.provides clinical research-based drug and medical device development services in North America, Europe, and Asia.It offers a suite of services supporting the clinical development process from Phase I to Phase IV in various therapeutic areas.


The company also provides clinical development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries; and development plan design, coordinated central laboratory, project management, regulatory affairs, clinical monitoring, data management and analysis, pharmacovigilance new drug application submissions, and post-marketing clinical support services.In addition, it offers bio-analytical laboratory services, clinical human pharmacology, imaging services, and electrocardiography reading support for clinical trials.The company was founded in 1992 and is based in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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1.b. Last Insights on MEDP

Medpace Holdings' recent performance was negatively impacted by a significant bookings miss, despite the company's strong fourth-quarter sales and earnings. The company's backlog growth remains sluggish, which could hinder future growth. Additionally, institutional investors, such as Principal Financial Group Inc. and Coldstream Capital Management Inc., have reduced their holdings in the company. Medpace's valuation is now considered fair at ~32x P/E, with a discounted cash flow suggesting modest upside. The company's disciplined share buybacks continue to support EPS growth.

1.c. Company Highlights

2. Medpace Holdings' 2025 Earnings: Strong Revenue Growth and Margin Expansion

Medpace Holdings, Inc. reported a robust financial performance for the fourth quarter and full year 2025. Revenue for the year was $2.53 billion, a 20% increase from 2024, with Q4 revenue reaching $708.5 million, a 32% year-over-year increase. EBITDA margin was 22%, with full-year EBITDA at $557.7 million, a 16.1% increase from the prior year. Net income for the full year was $451.1 million, an 11.6% increase, and $135.1 million for Q4, a 15.5% increase. Earnings per share (EPS) for Q4 was $4.67, beating estimates of $4.18.

Publication Date: Feb -16

📋 Highlights
  • Revenue Growth:: Q4 revenue reached $708.5M (+32% YoY), with full-year revenue at $2.53B (+20% YoY).
  • New Business Awards:: Q4 net new awards hit $736.6M (+39.1% YoY), achieving a net book-to-bill ratio of 1.04.
  • EBITDA Performance:: FY2025 EBITDA was $557.7M (+16.1% YoY) with a stable 22% margin, while Q4 EBITDA was $160.2M (+20% YoY) at 22.6% margin.
  • 2026 Guidance:: Revenue projected at $2.755B–$2.855B (+8.9%–12.8% YoY), with EBITDA of $605M–$635M (+8.5%–13.9% YoY).

Guidance and Outlook

The company provided guidance for 2026, expecting total revenue in the range of $2.755 billion to $2.855 billion, representing growth of 8.9% to 12.8% over 2025. EBITDA is expected to be in the range of $605 million to $635 million, representing growth of 8.5% to 13.9% compared to 2025. Management assumes normal cancellation rates and mid-to-high single-digit hiring growth in 2026, driving margin expansion through productivity gains and good retention.

Operational Highlights

Cancellation rates were elevated in Q4, particularly in the metabolic area, but were broad-based with no single large project cancellation. The business environment was described as "adequate" and headed in the right direction, with RFPs up slightly quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year. Medpace expects some slowdown in metabolic shift, but not materially.

Valuation and Metrics

With a P/E Ratio of 26.84 and EV/EBITDA of 21.56, the market appears to be pricing in a certain level of growth. Analysts estimate next year's revenue growth at 7.2%, which is slightly below the company's guidance range. ROE is high at 118.82%, indicating strong profitability. The stock's Free Cash Flow Yield is 5.83%, suggesting a reasonable valuation.

Key Takeaways

Medpace's strong revenue growth and margin expansion are positives, but the elevated cancellation rates and uncertainty around AI's impact are potential concerns. The company's guidance and operational highlights suggest a stable outlook, and the valuation metrics indicate a reasonable price for the stock. As August Troendle noted, AI's impact on the space is uncertain, with potential benefits and drawbacks, and the company continues to invest in AI to improve efficiency and data analytics.

3. NewsRoom

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Medpace Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEDP) Receives Average Rating of “Hold” from Brokerages

06:51

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Rep. David Taylor Buys Medpace Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MEDP) Stock

Mar -10

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Clarkston Capital Partners LLC Has $63.28 Million Holdings in Medpace Holdings, Inc. $MEDP

Mar -09

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PACS vs. MEDP: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?

Mar -05

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Medpace (MEDP) Rises As Market Takes a Dip: Key Facts

Feb -26

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Citizens Business Bank Acquires Shares of 1,790 Medpace Holdings, Inc. $MEDP

Feb -26

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Ongoing Investigation: Medpace Holdings, Inc. (MEDP) May Have Misled Shareholders - Levi & Korsinsky Investigates

Feb -23

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Medpace Holdings Under Investigation After Book-to-Bill Miss Exposes Cancellation Surge and Pipeline Fragility

Feb -18

4. Business Breakdown

4.a. Revenues by Country

4.b. Revenues by Segment

5. Expected revenues mid-term growth (13.07%)

6. Segments

Oncology

Expected Growth: 14.0%

Strong demand for oncology clinical trials driven by increasing cancer prevalence, innovative therapies, and regulatory approvals. Medpace's expertise in complex oncology trials, strategic partnerships, and investments in technology and talent acquisition also contribute to the 14.0% growth.

Other

Expected Growth: 12.0%

Medpace Holdings' 12.0% growth is driven by increasing demand for outsourced clinical trial services, expansion into new therapeutic areas, and strategic acquisitions. The company's expertise in rare diseases and orphan drugs, as well as its investments in digital technologies, have also contributed to its growth.

Metabolic

Expected Growth: 15.0%

Metabolic segment's 15.0% growth driven by increasing demand for clinical trials in obesity, diabetes, and rare genetic disorders. Expanding partnerships with biotech and pharma companies, coupled with Medpace's specialized expertise, fuels growth. Additionally, rising awareness of metabolic disorders and investments in precision medicine contribute to the segment's rapid expansion.

Cardiology

Expected Growth: 13.0%

Medpace Holdings, Inc.'s Cardiology segment growth of 13.0% is driven by increasing demand for cardiovascular clinical trials, advancements in medical technology, and a growing need for specialized cardiology services. Additionally, the company's strategic partnerships, expanded service offerings, and investments in digital infrastructure have contributed to its growth momentum.

Antiviral and Anti-infective

Expected Growth: 11.0%

Strong demand for infectious disease treatments, increasing R&D investments, and a growing pipeline of novel antiviral and anti-infective therapies drive Medpace Holdings' 11.0% growth. Additionally, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and emerging infectious diseases fuel the need for innovative solutions, further propelling segment growth.

Central Nervous System

Expected Growth: 10.0%

Central Nervous System (CNS) segment growth of 10.0% is driven by increasing demand for novel treatments in neurology and psychiatry, advancements in gene therapy, and rising prevalence of CNS disorders. Additionally, Medpace's expertise in complex CNS trials and strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies contribute to this growth.

7. Detailed Products

Clinical Research Services

Medpace provides comprehensive clinical research services, including study design, site selection, patient recruitment, data management, and biostatistics.

Regulatory Affairs Services

Medpace offers regulatory affairs services, including preparation and submission of regulatory filings, such as INDs, NDAs, and MAAs.

Pharmacovigilance Services

Medpace provides pharmacovigilance services, including adverse event reporting, signal detection, and risk management planning.

Clinical Trial Management Services

Medpace offers clinical trial management services, including study start-up, site management, and data management.

Biostatistics and Data Sciences Services

Medpace provides biostatistics and data sciences services, including data analysis, statistical programming, and data visualization.

Medical Affairs Services

Medpace offers medical affairs services, including medical writing, publication planning, and medical information.

8. Medpace Holdings, Inc.'s Porter Forces

Forces Ranking

Threat Of Substitutes

Medpace Holdings, Inc. operates in a niche market, providing clinical trial services to the pharmaceutical industry. While there are some substitutes available, such as in-house clinical trial capabilities, Medpace's expertise and reputation provide a competitive advantage, reducing the threat of substitutes.

Bargaining Power Of Customers

Medpace Holdings, Inc. has a diverse customer base, including large pharmaceutical companies and smaller biotech firms. While customers have some bargaining power, Medpace's specialized services and long-term contracts reduce the bargaining power of customers.

Bargaining Power Of Suppliers

Medpace Holdings, Inc. has a diverse supplier base, including contract research organizations and vendors providing specialized services. The company's scale and reputation reduce the bargaining power of suppliers.

Threat Of New Entrants

The clinical trial services market has high barriers to entry, including regulatory requirements, specialized expertise, and significant capital investments. These barriers reduce the threat of new entrants.

Intensity Of Rivalry

The clinical trial services market is competitive, with several established players. However, Medpace Holdings, Inc. has a strong reputation, specialized services, and a diverse customer base, which reduces the intensity of rivalry.

9. SWOT Analysis

10. Capital Structure

10.a. Balance Sheet

10.b. Weighted Average Cost of capital

Value
Debt Weight 43.77%
Debt Cost 3.95%
Equity Weight 56.23%
Equity Cost 10.93%
WACC 7.87%
Leverage 77.84%

11. Quality Control: Medpace Holdings, Inc. passed 6 out of 9 key points

12.a Historical Valuation

12.b Price/Earnings Ratio

12.c Margin Valuation

12.d Peers Valuation

Peers Group Analysis

Stock-Card
Quest Diagnostics

A-Score: 6.1/10

Value: 4.9

Growth: 4.6

Quality: 5.6

Yield: 4.0

Momentum: 8.0

Volatility: 9.3

1-Year Total Return ->

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LabCorp

A-Score: 5.4/10

Value: 4.6

Growth: 4.3

Quality: 5.4

Yield: 2.0

Momentum: 7.0

Volatility: 9.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Medpace

A-Score: 5.0/10

Value: 1.3

Growth: 9.3

Quality: 7.9

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 9.5

Volatility: 2.0

1-Year Total Return ->

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Natera

A-Score: 4.7/10

Value: 4.0

Growth: 7.0

Quality: 3.6

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 8.5

Volatility: 5.0

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Waters

A-Score: 4.4/10

Value: 1.0

Growth: 5.2

Quality: 7.7

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 6.0

Volatility: 6.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Stock-Card
Charles River Laboratories

A-Score: 3.3/10

Value: 4.6

Growth: 4.1

Quality: 3.1

Yield: 0.0

Momentum: 3.5

Volatility: 4.3

1-Year Total Return ->

Peers Metrics

12.e Scoring Insights

12.f DCF BETA

Parameters

Short Term Growth

Short term Time

Long-Term Growth

WACC

Target Price

449.14$

Current Price

449.14$

Potential

-0.00%

Expected Cash-Flows