ARGX vs. VRTX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on July 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ARGX and VRTX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Overview

VRTX’s market capitalization of 118.03 billion USD is significantly greater than ARGX’s 33.18 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.

VRTX carries a higher beta at 0.42, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while ARGX (beta: 0.04) exhibits greater stability.

ARGX trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, VRTX is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	ARGX	VRTX
Company Name	argenx SE	Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Country	NL	US
Sector	Healthcare	Healthcare
Industry	Biotechnology	Biotechnology
CEO	Timothy Van Hauwermeiren EMBA,	Reshma Kewalramani FASN,
Price	543.48 USD	459.62 USD
Market Cap	33.18 billion USD	118.03 billion USD
Beta	0.04	0.42
Exchange	NASDAQ	NASDAQ
IPO Date	May 18, 2017	July 24, 1991
ADR	Yes	No

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ARGX and VRTX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.

Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ARGX vs. VRTX: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Profitability

Return on Equity

ARGX

16.83%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.39%
Q3: -6.30%
Median: -32.82%
Q1: -68.26%
Min: -147.61%

In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ARGX’s Return on Equity of 16.83% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

VRTX

-6.25%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.39%
Q3: -6.30%
Median: -32.82%
Q1: -68.26%
Min: -147.61%

VRTX has a negative Return on Equity of -6.25%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their ROE against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Return on Invested Capital

ARGX

-118.38%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 48.74%
Q3: -10.68%
Median: -31.65%
Q1: -52.92%
Min: -113.69%

ARGX has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -118.38%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.

VRTX

-12.80%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 48.74%
Q3: -10.68%
Median: -31.65%
Q1: -52.92%
Min: -113.69%

VRTX has a negative Return on Invested Capital of -12.80%. This indicates that its operations are failing to generate a profit on the total capital invested, signaling significant inefficiency or value destruction.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their ROIC against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin

ARGX

37.53%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 87.75%
Q3: -5.05%
Median: -103.44%
Q1: -1,032.77%
Min: -2,366.07%

A Net Profit Margin of 37.53% places ARGX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

VRTX

-8.91%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 87.75%
Q3: -5.05%
Median: -103.44%
Q1: -1,032.77%
Min: -2,366.07%

VRTX has a negative Net Profit Margin of -8.91%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin

ARGX

-1.24%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 87.75%
Q3: -3.28%
Median: -115.26%
Q1: -1,188.86%
Min: -2,943.30%

ARGX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -1.24%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

VRTX

-6.69%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 87.75%
Q3: -3.28%
Median: -115.26%
Q1: -1,188.86%
Min: -2,943.30%

VRTX has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -6.69%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Operating Margin against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	VRTX
Return on Equity (TTM)	16.83%	-6.25%
Return on Assets (TTM)	13.45%	-4.32%
Return on Invested Capital (TTM)	-118.38%	-12.80%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	37.53%	-8.91%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	-1.24%	-6.69%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	46.33%	86.03%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio

ARGX

7.29

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 28.73
Q3: 13.97
Median: 6.31
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.02

ARGX’s Current Ratio of 7.29 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

VRTX

2.65

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 28.73
Q3: 13.97
Median: 6.31
Q1: 3.60
Min: 0.02

VRTX’s Current Ratio of 2.65 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Current Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

ARGX

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.46
Q3: 0.22
Median: 0.06
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ARGX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

VRTX

0.10

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.46
Q3: 0.22
Median: 0.06
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

VRTX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.10 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their D/E Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio

ARGX

-20.85

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 108.32
Q3: -0.55
Median: -8.49
Q1: -74.83
Min: -168.36

ARGX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -20.85. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

VRTX

-32.00

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 108.32
Q3: -0.55
Median: -8.49
Q1: -74.83
Min: -168.36

VRTX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -32.00. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	VRTX
Current Ratio (TTM)	7.29	2.65
Quick Ratio (TTM)	6.68	2.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)	0.01	0.10
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM)	0.01	0.07
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM)	-189.75	39.65
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-20.85	-32.00

Growth

The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARGX and VRTX. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.

Revenue Growth

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Revenue Growth.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth.

Free Cash Flow Growth

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Free Cash Flow Growth.

Dividend

Dividend Yield

ARGX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARGX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

VRTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRTX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio

ARGX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ARGX has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

VRTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRTX has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Payout Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	VRTX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio

ARGX

48.48

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.44
Q3: 48.98
Median: 20.50
Q1: 12.64
Min: 2.14

ARGX’s P/E Ratio of 48.48 is within the middle range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

VRTX

-119.40

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.44
Q3: 48.98
Median: 20.50
Q1: 12.64
Min: 2.14

VRTX has a negative P/E Ratio of -119.40. This occurs when a company has negative earnings (a net loss), making the ratio unsuitable for valuation analysis.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their P/E Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Forward P/E to Growth Ratio

ARGX

1.27

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 2.29
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.49
Q1: 0.16
Min: 0.02

A Forward PEG Ratio of 1.27 places ARGX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.

VRTX

-9.60

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 2.29
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.49
Q1: 0.16
Min: 0.02

VRTX has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -9.60. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Forward PEG Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio

ARGX

15.66

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 110.90
Q3: 59.76
Median: 11.33
Q1: 4.45
Min: 0.17

ARGX’s P/S Ratio of 15.66 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

VRTX

10.63

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 110.90
Q3: 59.76
Median: 11.33
Q1: 4.45
Min: 0.17

VRTX’s P/S Ratio of 10.63 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their P/S Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio

ARGX

7.35

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 15.78
Q3: 7.44
Median: 3.31
Q1: 1.58
Min: 0.31

The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Biotechnology industry.

VRTX

7.16

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 15.78
Q3: 7.44
Median: 3.31
Q1: 1.58
Min: 0.31

The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Biotechnology industry.

ARGX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their P/B Ratio against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ARGX	VRTX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)	48.48	-119.40
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)	1.27	-9.60
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)	15.66	10.63
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)	7.35	7.16
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)	-432.72	-93.82
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)	4329.99	-1507.25
EV-to-Sales (TTM)	15.00	10.36