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Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT)
NASDAQ:ARQT
US Market

Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT) AI Stock Analysis

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ARQT

Arcutis Biotherapeutics

(NASDAQ:ARQT)

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Neutral 64 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:64Neutral
Price Target:
$29.00
▲(7.37% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/26/26
Overall score is driven primarily by improving fundamentals (rapid revenue scaling, high gross margins, and a much stronger balance sheet) and a constructive earnings-call outlook (strong sales momentum and accelerated cash-flow breakeven timeline). The score is held back by still-negative cash flow, lack of consistently positive profitability, and weak valuation signals from the negative P/E; technical indicators are broadly neutral.
Positive Factors
Rapid revenue scaling
Sustained top-line expansion reflects successful commercial adoption of ZORYVE and improves operating leverage. Higher recurring product revenues give management flexibility to fund marketing, R&D and commercialization, reducing reliance on external financing as the business scales over multiple quarters.
Very high gross margins
Consistently ~90% gross margins indicate attractive unit economics for topical formulations. High product-level profitability creates a wide margin buffer to cover SG&A and R&D and supports durable profitability once fixed costs are absorbed at higher volumes.
Stronger balance sheet and cash resources
Material deleveraging and a larger equity base improve financial resilience and lower refinancing risk. With a solid capital cushion, the company can invest in additional indications and commercialization even if near-term cash generation remains variable, supporting multi-quarter strategic plans.
Negative Factors
Negative operating and free cash flow
Continued negative cash generation means the business has not yet fully self-funded operations. If revenue growth slows or gross-to-net pressures persist, the firm may need to draw on cash reserves or external capital, which can constrain long-term investment and strategic optionality.
Concentration on a single commercial franchise
Revenue dependence on ZORYVE and topical franchises concentrates commercial risk: label setbacks, competitive entries, or payer restrictions could materially affect sales. Diversification into new indications is underway but remains early, leaving near-term revenues concentrated.
Structural adoption headwinds vs topical steroids
A large incumbent preference for topical steroids creates a durable switching barrier. Overcoming entrenched prescribing habits requires sustained clinical evidence, education, and marketing investment, which can slow penetration and pressure margin expansion over multiple quarters.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics (ARQT) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionArcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on developing and commercializing treatments for dermatological diseases. Its lead product candidate is ARQ-151, a topical roflumilast cream that has completed Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. The company is also developing ARQ-154, a topical foam formulation of roflumilast for the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis and scalp psoriasis; ARQ-252, a selective topical janus kinase type 1 inhibitor for hand eczema and vitiligo; and ARQ-255, a topical formulation of ARQ-252 designed to reach deeper into the skin in order to treat alopecia areata. The company was formerly known as Arcutis, Inc. and changed its name to Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. in October 2019. Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Westlake Village, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyArcutis Biotherapeutics generates revenue primarily through the commercialization of its pharmaceutical products. The company earns money through direct sales of its approved therapies, which are marketed to healthcare providers and pharmacies. Additionally, Arcutis may engage in strategic partnerships and collaborations with larger pharmaceutical companies, which can provide upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on product sales. These partnerships may also involve co-development agreements, allowing Arcutis to share the costs and risks associated with bringing new therapies to market. Furthermore, the company may receive funding through grants or research agreements focused on advancing its product pipeline.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 06, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call for Arcutis Biotherapeutics highlighted strong revenue and prescription growth driven by the ZORYVE franchise and recent FDA approval. Despite seasonal factors expected to moderate growth and challenges in Medicare Part D coverage, the positive cash flow and strategic plans suggest a promising outlook.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue Growth
Arcutis reported net product revenues of $81.5 million in Q2 2025, representing a 28% quarter-on-quarter growth and a 164% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024.
FDA Approval for ZORYVE Foam
Received FDA approval for ZORYVE foam 0.3% for the treatment of plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body, marking the fifth FDA approval for ZORYVE in the last 3 years.
Increased Prescription Volume
ZORYVE prescription volume reached a record high with nearly 200,000 total prescriptions in the quarter, reflecting a year-over-year volume increase of 117% and a quarter-over-quarter increase of 13%.
Positive Cash Flow from Operations
The company reported a positive net cash flow from operating activities of $325,000 in Q2 2025.
Negative Updates
Seasonality Impact on Growth
Anticipated moderation in sequential growth rate in Q3 2025 due to seasonality factors such as summer vacations and reduced flaring of inflammatory skin conditions.
Medicare Part D Coverage Challenges
Progress with Medicare Part D plans is slow due to financial disruptions from the Inflation Reduction Act, leading to a more protracted process for coverage decisions.
Halted Development of ARQ-255
The company decided to halt further development of ARQ-255 following disappointing results from the Phase Ib trial.
Company Guidance
In the Arcutis Biotherapeutics 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results Conference Call, the company reported strong financial performance and strategic progress. Net product revenues reached $81.5 million, marking a 28% increase from the previous quarter and a 164% growth compared to the second quarter of 2024. This growth was driven by increased demand for ZORYVE, with prescriptions reaching 16,000 weekly scripts and a total of nearly 200,000 prescriptions in the quarter, reflecting a 13% quarter-over-quarter increase and a 117% year-over-year increase. The company's gross-to-net rates remained stable, supported by strong insurance coverage. Arcutis also highlighted its strategic focus on expanding ZORYVE's indications, with a fifth FDA approval for ZORYVE foam 0.3% for plaque psoriasis of the scalp and body in May. The company is pursuing further label expansions, particularly in pediatric atopic dermatitis, with an upcoming PDUFA date in October for ZORYVE cream 0.05% for children aged 2 to 5. Arcutis is on track for cash flow breakeven in 2026, supported by disciplined capital allocation and a strategic focus on leveraging its development and commercialization capabilities.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong commercial ramp and very high gross margins (~90%) with materially improved losses (net margin improved from -71% in 2024 to about -4% in 2025) and a much healthier balance sheet (debt reduced to $6.3M; debt-to-equity ~0.03). Offsetting this, the company is still not consistently profitable and cash flow remains negative (2025 operating cash flow about -$5.6M; free cash flow about -$6.3M).
Income Statement
62
Positive
Revenue has scaled rapidly over time (from near-zero in 2020–2021 to $376.1M in 2025) with strong recent growth (+18.3% in 2025) and very high gross profitability (gross margin ~90% in both 2024 and 2025). The key weakness is that the company is still not consistently profitable: while losses narrowed dramatically (net margin improved from -71% in 2024 to about -4% in 2025), net income remains negative in 2025 and operating profitability is still slightly below breakeven.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
Leverage has improved materially: total debt fell to $6.3M in 2025 and debt-to-equity dropped to ~0.03, down sharply from elevated levels in 2023 (~2.32). Equity has also grown to $189.5M (vs. $157.5M in 2024), supporting balance sheet resilience. The main concern is ongoing losses, reflected in negative returns on equity (still negative in 2025), which can pressure equity over time if profitability doesn’t turn sustainably positive.
Cash Flow
45
Neutral
Cash generation remains a weak spot: operating cash flow and free cash flow were negative in 2025 (about -$5.6M and -$6.3M), and free cash flow deteriorated sharply versus 2024 (growth -83.5%). A positive is that cash burn has improved dramatically compared with 2022–2024 when operating cash flow was deeply negative, indicating better operating leverage as revenue scales; however, the business has not yet consistently self-funded operations.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue376.07M196.54M59.61M3.69M0.00
Gross Profit339.38M177.41M54.62M2.93M-763.00K
EBITDA-12.23M-109.63M-227.43M-294.55M-205.59M
Net Income-16.14M-140.04M-262.14M-311.46M-206.36M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets432.97M348.89M341.37M449.27M408.15M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments220.98M227.96M271.86M409.59M388.60M
Total Debt6.27M110.58M205.92M202.54M77.56M
Total Liabilities243.49M191.35M252.70M239.69M110.47M
Stockholders Equity189.48M157.54M88.67M209.58M297.68M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-6.31M-112.30M-247.49M-281.00M-175.62M
Operating Cash Flow-5.63M-112.16M-247.06M-257.71M-174.63M
Investing Cash Flow-30.25M28.82M180.23M-87.20M-75.95M
Financing Cash Flow6.97M66.20M101.32M301.80M281.95M

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price27.01
Price Trends
50DMA
27.35
Negative
100DMA
26.12
Positive
200DMA
20.63
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.08
Negative
RSI
51.77
Neutral
STOCH
58.23
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ARQT, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 27.01 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 26.38, below the 50-day MA of 27.35, and above the 200-day MA of 20.63, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.08 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 51.77 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 58.23 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ARQT.

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Risk Analysis

Arcutis Biotherapeutics disclosed 73 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Arcutis Biotherapeutics reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
69
Neutral
$1.62B10.4120.75%21.13%50.86%
64
Neutral
$3.30B-76.19-28.17%129.21%80.35%
62
Neutral
$3.19B-45.13-23.39%182.44%47.21%
53
Neutral
$1.84B-2.08-91.06%-32.98%-18.46%
52
Neutral
$2.50B-12.48-34.78%-34.96%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
47
Neutral
$2.85B-48.66-57.80%114.22%77.02%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ARQT
Arcutis Biotherapeutics
27.01
13.79
104.31%
TVTX
Travere Therapeutics
29.34
8.31
39.51%
IRON
Disc Medicine
66.89
12.43
22.82%
HRMY
Harmony Biosciences Holdings
28.19
-5.28
-15.78%
TARS
Tarsus Pharmaceuticals
72.65
30.09
70.70%
RXRX
Recursion Pharmaceuticals
3.77
-4.57
-54.80%

Arcutis Biotherapeutics Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
Arcutis Biotherapeutics Appoints Amit Munshi as New Director
Neutral
Dec 8, 2025

On December 3, 2025, Bhaskar Chaudhuri retired from Arcutis Biotherapeutics‘ Board of Directors, transitioning to a consulting role. Concurrently, Amit Munshi was appointed as a new director and chair of the Compensation Committee, bringing extensive biopharmaceutical leadership experience to support Arcutis’ growth and commercialization efforts.

The most recent analyst rating on (ARQT) stock is a Buy with a $37.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Arcutis Biotherapeutics stock, see the ARQT Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 26, 2026