About West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST)
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a Medical Instruments & Supplies company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Exton, United States. WST has been publicly traded since 1980, giving it 46+ years of trading history.
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) has been publicly traded since 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company. It operates in the Medical Instruments & Supplies industry within the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Exton, United States and employs approximately 10,800 people. With a market capitalization of $17 billion, WST is a large established company.
WST trades on the US stock exchanges (NYSE/NASDAQ) and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately $17 billion. The company employs approximately 10,800 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- $235.46
- Market Cap
- $16.96B
- 52-Week High
- $322.34
- 52-Week Low
- $187.43
- Sector
- Healthcare
- Industry
- Medical Instruments & Supplies
WST Investment Performance
WST has declined 14.3% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a $1,000 investment in WST would have grown to $892, representing a -10.8% total return. Since its IPO in 1980, a $1,000 investment would now be worth $546,678.
$1,000 Invested in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST)
How much would $1,000 invested in WST be worth today?
What would $1,000 invested in WST 1 year ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) in 2025 would be worth $1,056 as of May 2026, representing a +5.6% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WST 3 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) in 2023 would be worth $753 as of May 2026, representing a -24.7% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WST 5 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) in 2021 would be worth $892 as of May 2026, representing a -10.8% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WST 10 years ago be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) in 2016 would be worth $3,772 as of May 2026, representing a +277.2% total return.
What would $1,000 invested in WST at IPO be worth today?
A $1,000 investment in West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) at IPO would be worth $546,678 as of May 2026, representing a +54567.8% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 46+ years (552 months), West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) has averaged a monthly return of +1.48% with a median return of +1.40%. The stock had 324 positive months (59%) and 221 negative months (40%). The best month in WST's history was October 1982 with a +38.7% return, while the worst was February 2025 at -31.9%. Historically, April tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.1%), and September the weakest (-0.2%).
WST's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2006 with a cumulative return of +78.0%, and the worst was 2022 at -60.0%.
Annual Returns
Over 46 years of trading history, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) has delivered an average annual return of +18.05% with a median return of +11.21%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +13.31%. The stock posted gains in 31 years (67%) and losses in 15 years (33%).
WST's best year was 2006 with a +107.69% gain, while the worst was 2022 at -49.70%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 6, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. WST achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 24 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 9 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -14.34% | $274.89 | $235.46 |
| 2025 | -15.73% | $326.20 | $274.89 |
| 2024 | -6.75% | $349.82 | $326.20 |
| 2023 | +49.97% | $233.27 | $349.82 |
| 2022 | -49.70% | $463.74 | $233.27 |
| 2021 | +65.88% | $279.57 | $463.74 |
| 2020 | +89.05% | $147.88 | $279.57 |
| 2019 | +54.13% | $95.95 | $147.88 |
| 2018 | -0.08% | $96.02 | $95.95 |
| 2017 | +17.02% | $82.06 | $96.02 |
| 2016 | +41.87% | $57.84 | $82.06 |
| 2015 | +14.03% | $50.72 | $57.84 |
| 2014 | +9.52% | $46.31 | $50.72 |
| 2013 | +81.24% | $25.55 | $46.31 |
| 2012 | +46.63% | $17.43 | $25.55 |
| 2011 | -6.37% | $18.61 | $17.43 |
| 2010 | +6.92% | $17.41 | $18.61 |
| 2009 | +5.58% | $16.49 | $17.41 |
| 2008 | -5.70% | $17.48 | $16.49 |
| 2007 | -19.85% | $21.81 | $17.48 |
| 2006 | +107.69% | $10.50 | $21.81 |
| 2005 | +1.74% | $10.32 | $10.50 |
| 2004 | +50.89% | $6.84 | $10.32 |
| 2003 | +43.54% | $4.77 | $6.84 |
| 2002 | -5.25% | $5.03 | $4.77 |
| 2001 | +11.58% | $4.51 | $5.03 |
| 2000 | -18.30% | $5.52 | $4.51 |
| 1999 | -11.73% | $6.25 | $5.52 |
| 1998 | +22.45% | $5.11 | $6.25 |
| 1997 | +7.38% | $4.75 | $5.11 |
| 1996 | +22.79% | $3.87 | $4.75 |
| 1995 | -13.00% | $4.45 | $3.87 |
| 1994 | +14.35% | $3.89 | $4.45 |
| 1993 | +10.83% | $3.51 | $3.89 |
| 1992 | +23.23% | $2.85 | $3.51 |
| 1991 | +56.33% | $1.82 | $2.85 |
| 1990 | -33.87% | $2.76 | $1.82 |
| 1989 | +28.84% | $2.14 | $2.76 |
| 1988 | -8.60% | $2.34 | $2.14 |
| 1987 | +20.25% | $1.95 | $2.34 |
| 1986 | +9.18% | $1.78 | $1.95 |
| 1985 | +46.81% | $1.21 | $1.78 |
| 1984 | -32.21% | $1.79 | $1.21 |
| 1983 | +34.19% | $1.34 | $1.79 |
| 1982 | +1.97% | $1.31 | $1.34 |
| 1981 | +75.72% | $0.75 | $1.31 |
WST Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. as an investment
Valuation
WST currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 34.7, which is considered high relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 26.6 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 5.3. The price-to-sales ratio is 5.5.
Dividends
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.37%. This translates to $0.88 per share annually. The payout ratio of 13% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
WST has a beta of 1.18, indicating it is slightly more volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is $187.43 to $322.34, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 14 analyst opinions, WST has a consensus "strong_buy" rating. The average price target of $318.36 suggests 35.2% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: WST
What sector is WST in? ▼
WST operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Medical Instruments & Supplies industry. This sector includes pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, medical device manufacturers, and healthcare providers.
How has WST performed historically? ▼
Over 46 years of trading history, WST has posted gains in 31 years (67% of the time). The best year was 2006 with a +107.7% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in WST? ▼
You can invest in WST through any brokerage account that offers access to US stock exchanges. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold WST.
Does WST pay dividends? ▼
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 0.37%. This translates to $0.88 per share annually. The payout ratio of 13% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. do? ▼
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a Medical Instruments & Supplies company operating in the Healthcare sector. The company is headquartered in Exton, United States.
What sector is WST in? ▼
WST operates in the Healthcare sector, specifically in the Medical Instruments & Supplies industry.
When did WST go public? ▼
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. went public in 1980, making it a 46-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would $1,000 invested in WST 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in WST five years ago would be worth approximately $892 today, representing a -10.8% return.
How much would $1,000 invested in WST 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A $1,000 investment in WST ten years ago would be worth approximately $3,772 today, representing a 277.2% total return over the decade.
What is WST's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, WST has returned -24.7%. A $1,000 investment would have grown to $753.
How much would $1,000 invested in WST at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested $1,000 in WST at its IPO in 1980, it would be worth approximately $546,678 today, a 54,567.8% return over 46 years.
Does WST pay dividends? ▼
Yes, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 0.37%, which is $0.88 per share annually.
What is WST's market cap? ▼
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has a market capitalization of $17 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is WST's P/E ratio? ▼
WST has a trailing P/E ratio of 34.7 and a forward P/E of 26.6, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is WST a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 14 opinions, WST has a consensus "strong_buy" rating. The average price target is $318.36.
Last updated: 3/14/2026