AMGN vs. VRTX: Amgen vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Amgen (AMGN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Amgen (AMGN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) are both classified in the Biotechnology sub-industry within the broader Biotechnology industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Amgen Inc. Common Stock | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 249.05 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 17, 1983 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 48.82% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 24.31% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 20.67% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 29.12% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.43 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -24.86% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 2.76M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.53 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 2.36 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 78.35% and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 20.80% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
78.35%
- Max
- 109.18%
- AMGN
- 78.35%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
20.80%
- Max
- 109.18%
- VRTX
- 20.80%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 24.14% and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 30.70% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
24.14%
- AMGN
- 24.14%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.70%
- VRTX
- 30.70%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 35.79% and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 35.57% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
35.79%
- Max
- 83.12%
- AMGN
- 35.79%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
35.57%
- Max
- 83.12%
- VRTX
- 35.57%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 78.35% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 8.91% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 24.14% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.79% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 72.47% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 9.95% and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 8.90% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Amgen (AMGN) reports EPS growth of 88.23%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 9.95% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 11.77% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 88.23% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.52% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 1.48 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 2.34 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.48
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- AMGN
- 1.48
- Min
- 0.10
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.34
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- VRTX
- 2.34
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Amgen (AMGN) at 3.76 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.76
- AMGN
- 3.76
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.31
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- VRTX
- 0.31
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.48 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 3.76 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.31 | 0.03 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Amgen (AMGN) reports a yield of 2.16%, ranking against industry peers normally.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.16%
- AMGN
- 2.16%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- VRTX
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Amgen (AMGN) reports a payout of 57.62%, ranking against industry peers normally.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
57.62%
- AMGN
- 57.62%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- VRTX
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.16% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 57.62% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Amgen (AMGN) at 26.69 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 35.21 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.69
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- AMGN
- 26.69
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
35.21
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- VRTX
- 35.21
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Amgen (AMGN) at 6.40 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.40
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- AMGN
- 6.40
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
10.71
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- VRTX
- 10.71
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 6.63 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Amgen (AMGN) at 17.35 prices even higher, above its industry range.
AMGN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.35
- AMGN
- 17.35
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
VRTX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.63
- Max
- 13.53
- VRTX
- 6.63
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AMGN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 26.69 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 6.40 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 17.35 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.96% | 1.69% |