JW Life Science specializes in making IV fluids used in hospitals, that is, injectable solutions of water, nutrients, and electrolytes delivered directly into the bloodstream like an intravenous drip. Prescription IV fluids used on a doctor's order are its mainstay, so demand from medical institutions is the base of revenue, and as essential medicines they are not greatly affected by the economic cycle and are hard for new players to enter. On March 27 it voluntarily disclosed a corporate value enhancement plan, and after confirming 2025 revenue of ₩257.8 billion, operating profit of ₩33.2 billion, and net profit of ₩28.6 billion, it disclosed Q1 2026 revenue of ₩63.5 billion, operating profit of ₩9.3 billion, and net profit of ₩6.7 billion. Recent points worth noting: despite steadily rising revenue from essential-medicine demand and an ROE in the 13% range, a debt ratio in the 44% range, and a dividend in the 5% range, a forward P/E of 5.30x and forward P/B of 0.72x place it in a low spot within the sector, so the undervaluation is clear. On the other hand, if quarterly revenue falls again or the IV-fluid pricing and cost environment worsens, the pace of profit improvement could slow.
At-a-glance assessment financial health · growth · profitability · valuation
- Debt ratio, current ratio and interest burden all look healthy.
- Revenue rose 15.9% year over year, and the pace is quickening (3-year trend: rising).
- Most recent quarter (Q1 2026) revenue was 7.4% lower than a year earlier.
- ROE is 13.0% (controlling-interest basis). It is above the sector average.
- Operating margin is 12.9%.
- The forward P/E sits below the sector median.
Ownership & governance As of 2025-12-31
Largest shareholder JW Holdings 42.98% (corporate)
Controlling bloc incl. related parties 43.09%
With the controlling bloc holding 43%, the ownership structure is stable.
🔎 In-depth analysis
- JW Life Science specializes in making and selling IV fluids used in hospitals, that is, injectable solutions of water, nutrients, and electrolytes delivered directly into the bloodstream like an intravenous drip.
- Rather than over-the-counter drugs, its mainstay is prescription IV fluids used on a doctor's order, so demand from medical institutions such as general and mid-sized hospitals forms the base of revenue.
- IV fluids are essential medicines always needed for patient care, so they sell steadily without being greatly affected by the economic cycle, and the heavy burden of production facilities and licensing and quality control makes it a business new players cannot easily enter.
- The latest close is ₩11,170 and the market cap is ₩176.9 billion.
- The price sits below the 20-day line (₩11,354) and below the 60-day line (₩11,914).
- Being under both the short- and mid-term moving averages, the trend is on the subdued side.
- The RSI (an indicator that gauges the strength of up-moves versus down-moves over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 43.8, a neutral level.
- The one-month change is +1.5%, the three-month change is -10.1%, and the position versus the 52-week high is -27.9%.
- Relative strength against the KOSPI is 20 (on a 1-99 scale, calculated from the past year's return versus the index with more weight on recent performance; higher means stronger than the market).
- That places it in roughly the top 80% of all stocks by strength.
- Over the past three months it lagged the index by 29.0%.
- Chart reading is best done alongside volume and the dates of disclosures.
- Recent annual results are revenue of ₩257.8 billion, operating profit of ₩33.2 billion, and net profit of ₩28.6 billion.
- The operating margin is 12.9% and ROE (a profitability measure of how much is earned in a year on equity) is 13.0%, above the sector average.
- The debt ratio (debt against equity) is 44.3% and the interest coverage ratio (how many times interest can be covered by operating profit) is 8.1x, so the balance sheet is on the stable side, and the dividend yield is about 5.0%.
- The P/E of 6.15x and P/B of 0.80x shown now are based on last year's confirmed results, but with profit improving further this year, the forward P/E recalculated on future profit falls to 5.30x and the forward P/B to 0.80x.
- For a company with rising profit, the forward figures that reflect the profit ahead are closer to the actual investment appeal than last year's numbers, and this company's forward P/E is below the sector median, so the share price reads as cheap relative to profit and assets.
- Revenue rose for four straight years, from ₩169.8 billion in 2021 to ₩257.8 billion in 2025, and in 2025 it grew 15.9% from the prior year, with the pace of increase actually quickening.
- Operating profit also rose over the same period, from ₩28.4 billion to ₩33.2 billion (it dipped slightly from ₩35.8 billion in 2024 to ₩33.2 billion in 2025, but the trend itself is upward).
- In Q1 2026, revenue was ₩63.5 billion, operating profit ₩9.3 billion, and net profit ₩6.7 billion; although revenue fell 7.4% from the same period a year earlier, operating profit rose 1.3% and net profit 9.5%, so profitability actually improved.
- This year's outlook is revenue of about ₩251.9 billion, operating profit of about ₩34.8 billion, and net profit of about ₩33.3 billion, a picture of operating profit rising above last year.
- IV fluids are essential medicines indispensable for patient care, so demand is steady, and the company's production facilities and quality and licensing capabilities feeding into stable supply underpin this profit trend.
- The Q1 results show plainly how it holds onto profit through pricing and profitability management even when revenue pauses.
- On March 27, 2026, the company directly announced a corporate value enhancement plan as a voluntary disclosure.
- As planning material the company presented itself, where specific figures are included it serves as primary evidence for gauging the direction ahead, and where figures are absent it serves as directional reference.
- On May 13 it disclosed provisional Q1 2026 results (revenue ₩63.5 billion, operating profit ₩9.3 billion, net profit ₩6.7 billion).
- Earlier, on February 2, it disclosed a material change in annual results, confirming 2025 revenue of ₩257.8 billion, operating profit of ₩33.2 billion, and net profit of ₩28.6 billion.
- Such earnings disclosures are best read alongside whether they run in the same direction as the annual trend and whether one-off factors are mixed in.
- This stock's strengths are clear.
- With IV fluids, an essential medicine, as its mainstay, revenue rises steadily, and it combines an ROE in the 13% range, a low debt ratio in the 44% range, and a dividend in the 5% range.
- Even so, at a P/E of 6.15x and P/B of 0.80x on last year's results, and a forward P/E of 5.30x and forward P/B of 0.72x on future profit, the share price sits in a low spot within the sector relative to the profit and assets that support it, so the undervalued character is clear.
- If operating profit continues to improve this year, this appeal stands out further.
- On the other hand, if the pattern of quarterly revenue falling again as in Q1 persists, or if the IV-fluid pricing and cost environment worsens and shakes profitability, the pace of profit improvement could slow.
- In short, this is a stock whose undervaluation appeal shows strongly when stable essential-medicine demand and steady profit and dividends provide support, and unwinds slowly when a revenue slowdown or cost burden persists.
🔎 Valuation vs peers Undervalued
A comparison set of publicly available names within the pharmaceutical/bio sector that are adjacent in market capitalization.
| Peer | P/E | P/B | ROE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeon Pharmaceutical | — | 0.83x | -13.45% |
| Jetema | — | 2.61x | -10.09% |
| Biosolution | 535.24x | 4.55x | 0.85% |
We first looked at a comparison set of publicly available names within pharma/bio that are close in market cap. The current P/E (how many times one year's profit the price represents) is 6.18x and the P/B (how many times book value the price represents) is 0.80x. That said, for smaller-cap names the impact of earnings swings and financing disclosures is large, so we did not draw firm conclusions from last year's confirmed-results metrics alone. The basis for the outlook box is a DART seasonality approximation.
Earnings outlook company-stated · verified
| Type | Period | Revenue | Operating profit | Net profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| This year | 2026 | ₩251.9 billion | ₩34.8 billion | ₩33.3 billion |
| Next quarter | Q2 2026 | ₩61.9 billion | ₩8.9 billion | ₩8.3 billion |
Price history Close · MA20 · MA60
The latest close is ₩11,170 and the market capitalization is ₩176.9 billion. The price sits below its 20-day moving average (₩11,354) and below its 60-day moving average (₩11,914). It is under both its short- and medium-term moving averages, so the trend looks subdued. The RSI (a supplementary indicator that gauges the strength of gains versus losses over the past 14 days on a 0-100 scale) is 43.8, a neutral level. The one-month change is +1.5%, the three-month change is -10.1%, and the position relative to the 52-week high is -27.9%. Relative strength versus the KOSPI is 21 (on a 1-99 scale, converted from returns against the index over the past year with more weight on recent performance; higher means stronger than the market). It is stronger than roughly 20% of all stocks. Over the past three months it lagged the index by 29.0%. Chart interpretation is best done alongside trading volume and the dates on which disclosures occur.
Relative performance stock vs index · start = 100
Excess return vs index · 3M -29.00% / 6M -46.14% / 12M -61.47%
Key metrics vs sector median
Valuation
The P/E of 6.18x is below the sector median (15.98x). The P/B of 0.80x is below the sector median (1.37x). Both metrics are low versus peers, so the price is not expensive relative to earnings and assets.
Enterprise value (EV)
EV = market cap + net debt. It reflects cash and debt, so it captures the real cost of the whole business that market cap alone misses; lower multiples are cheaper relative to earnings or sales.
Intrinsic value (DCF estimate)
DCF (discounted cash flow) estimate — discount rate 11.6%, initial growth 10.0%→terminal 2.0%, 10-yr forecast, free-cash-flow basis, forward earnings power normalized 1.166x. A reference range that shifts materially with assumptions.
Profitability & financials
Return on equity (ROE) is 13.0%, above the sector average (3.0%). The operating margin is 12.9%. The debt ratio is 44.3%, so the financial structure is stable.
Growth FY2025 · annual report (consolidated)
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $137.1M | $147.5M | $170.9M | +15.89% ↑ faster |
| Operating profit | $20.5M | $23.8M | $22.0M | -7.29% ↓ slower |
| Net profit | $18.7M | $29.2M | $19.0M | -34.97% ↓ slower |
| 5-year | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $112.6M | $125.2M | $137.1M | $147.5M | $170.9M |
| Operating profit | $18.8M | $18.0M | $20.5M | $23.8M | $22.0M |
| Net profit | $8.6M | $9.9M | $18.7M | $29.2M | $19.0M |
| Revenue CAGR | 4-yr avg 11.00% | ||||
Revenue rose 15.9% year over year (2023 ₩206.9 billion → 2024 ₩222.5 billion → 2025 ₩257.8 billion), and the three-year trend is 'rising'. The pace of growth also quickened from the prior year. Operating profit fell 7.3% year over year. The decline widened. Over the 5 years on record, revenue compound annual growth (CAGR) is 11.0%. The two-year revenue CAGR is 11.6%. In the most recent quarter (Q1 2026), revenue was 7.4% lower than the same period a year earlier.
Latest quarterly results Q1 2026 · vs year-ago
Technical indicators
What stands out
- P/E and P/B are both low versus peers, so the price looks inexpensive relative to earnings and assets.
- The dividend yield, at 4.9%, is on the high side.
- ROE of 13.0% points to solid profitability.
- Revenue grew 15.9% year over year, a sign of growth.
- The balance sheet is stable in terms of debt and liquidity.
Points to watch
- The figures shown are based on the last annual report as of the writing date, so it is best to review the latest quarterly results and filings alongside them.
Recent news & events searched · sourced
- 2026-03-27UpdateCorporate value enhancement plan (voluntary disclosure): original company plan confirmedThis is planning material the company presented directly. Where figures are included, treat it as primary evidence for the outlook box; where they are not, treat it only as directional material. Source
- 2026-05-13EarningsOperating (provisional) results (fair disclosure): Q1 2026 revenue ₩63.5 billion, operating profit ₩9.3 billion, net profit ₩6.7 billionThis is recent confirmed or provisional earnings material. Look at whether it runs in the same direction as the annual trend and whether any one-off factors are present. Source
- 2026-02-02EarningsChange in revenue or profit/loss structure of 30% or more (15% for large corporations): annual revenue ₩257.8 billion, operating profit ₩33.2 billion, net profit ₩28.6 billionThis is recent confirmed or provisional earnings material. Look at whether it runs in the same direction as the annual trend and whether any one-off factors are present. Source
Figure cross-check computed ↔ external
| Metric | Computed | External | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Closing price | ₩11,170 | ₩11,170 | Confirmed | link |
| Latest quarterly results | revenue ₩63.5 billion, operating profit ₩9.3 billion | revenue ₩63.5 billion, operating profit ₩9.3 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Annual results | revenue ₩257.8 billion, operating profit ₩33.2 billion | revenue ₩257.8 billion, operating profit ₩33.2 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Outlook/plan disclosure source text | : | : | Confirmed | link |
| Earnings disclosure source text | : 2026 1 revenue ₩63.5 billion · operating profit ₩9.3 billion · net profit ₩6.7 billion | : 2026 1 revenue ₩63.5 billion · operating profit ₩9.3 billion · net profit ₩6.7 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Earnings disclosure source text | revenue30%: revenue ₩257.8 billion · operating profit ₩33.2 billion · net profit ₩28.6 billion | revenue30%: revenue ₩257.8 billion · operating profit ₩33.2 billion · net profit ₩28.6 billion | Confirmed | link |
| Outlook box basis | DART | DART | Confirmed | link |
Recent filings
- 2026-06-01Corporate governance report
- 2026-05-15PeriodicQuarterly report
- 2026-05-13EarningsFair-disclosure notice
- 2026-04-07OwnershipOwnership-change filing
- 2026-03-27Disclosure
- 2026-03-26Shareholders' meeting notice
- 2026-03-18PeriodicAnnual business report
- 2026-03-17Audit report
- 2026-03-11Amended filing
- 2026-03-11Amended filing
- 2026-03-11DividendCash/stock dividend decision (amended)
- 2026-02-25Disclosure
📖 Plain-language glossary — expand if you are new to this
- P/E
- How many times a year's net profit the price is worth (lower is cheaper relative to earnings). The P/E here is on trailing (last full-year) results; for companies whose earnings swing fast (memory chips and other cyclicals/high-growth), a forward P/E on this year's expected earnings is more accurate.
- P/B
- Price relative to net assets (equity). Around 1x means it trades near book value; below 1x means below book.
- P/S
- Price relative to a year's revenue — useful for growth companies with thin earnings.
- Net debt / EV
- Net debt = interest-bearing debt − cash. Negative means more cash than debt (net cash). EV (enterprise value) = market cap + net debt, closer to what it would cost to buy the whole business.
- EV/EBIT · EV/EBITDA · EV/Sales
- Enterprise value against operating profit (EBIT), EBITDA, or revenue. Unlike P/E these reflect debt and cash; lower is cheaper relative to earnings power or sales.
- FCF / FCF yield
- Free cash flow = operating cash − capex, the cash actually left over. FCF yield = FCF ÷ market cap; higher means more cash generated per unit of market value.
- Intrinsic value (DCF)
- Future free cash flow (or, for some capex-heavy but profitable names, forecast earnings) discounted to today to estimate per-share value. Because it shifts a lot with the discount-rate and growth assumptions, it is shown as a bear/base/bull range, and the basis and assumptions are disclosed in one line beneath it.
- ROE
- How much profit the company earns in a year on its equity (%). Higher means better returns on capital.
- EPS / BPS
- Earnings per share / net assets (book value) per share.
- Operating / net margin
- Profit left from the core business / final profit after tax and interest, per unit of revenue.
- Debt ratio
- Debt relative to equity (%). Higher means more reliance on borrowing (norms vary by sector).
- Current ratio
- Assets convertible to cash within a year against debt due within a year. Above 100% leaves some short-term headroom.
- Interest coverage
- How many times operating profit covers the interest owed. Below 1x means operating profit alone struggles to cover interest.
- Dividend yield / payout ratio
- The year's dividend as a % of today's price / the share of earnings paid out as dividends.
- Revenue CAGR
- Multi-year growth expressed as a single yearly average (compound annual growth rate).
- RSI (short-term signal)
- Whether recent price action is overheated or beaten down. Above 70 is overbought, below 30 oversold.
- MA20 / MA60 (moving averages)
- The 20- and 60-day average price. Price above them signals a firmer short-term trend.
- vs 52-week high
- How far below the past year's peak the price sits now (%).
All figures are for reference only; how they read varies by sector and over time.
Sources: Korea FSC market-price API (data.go.kr), OpenDART, KRX/KIND — public data only.
Bong Stocks presents public-data-based information for reference only. It is not investment advice and contains no target prices, ratings, or buy/sell recommendations. Verify independently before making any decision.