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

Updated on October 5, 2025

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

Company Profile

Symbol	BIIB	VRTX
Company Name	Biogen Inc.	Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	23.44 billion USD	103.40 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	September 17, 1991	July 24, 1991
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BIIB 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BIIB	VRTX
5-Day Price Return	15.42%	2.02%
13-Week Price Return	20.33%	-12.25%
26-Week Price Return	16.84%	-16.81%
52-Week Price Return	-15.29%	-12.73%
Month-to-Date Return	14.13%	2.98%
Year-to-Date Return	4.55%	0.15%
10-Day Avg. Volume	1.93M	1.84M
3-Month Avg. Volume	1.54M	1.65M
3-Month Volatility	36.89%	47.38%
Beta	0.11	0.31

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BIIB

9.04%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

BIIB’s Return on Equity of 9.04% is on par with the norm for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

VRTX

22.14%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, VRTX’s Return on Equity of 22.14% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BIIB

15.31%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

BIIB’s Net Profit Margin of 15.31% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

VRTX

31.86%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

A Net Profit Margin of 31.86% places VRTX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BIIB

20.80%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

BIIB’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

VRTX

34.36%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 34.36% places VRTX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BIIB	VRTX
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.04%	22.14%
Return on Assets (TTM)	5.43%	15.87%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	15.31%	31.86%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	20.80%	34.36%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	75.43%	86.11%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BIIB

2.50

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.50 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.

VRTX

2.52

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

VRTX’s Current Ratio of 2.52 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BIIB

0.36

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

BIIB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.36 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.

VRTX

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

VRTX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BIIB

4.35

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

BIIB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.35 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

VRTX

72.37

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

VRTX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 72.37 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BIIB	VRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.50	2.52
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.79	2.00
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.36	0.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	4.35	72.37

Growth

Revenue Growth

BIIB vs. VRTX: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BIIB vs. VRTX: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BIIB

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

BIIB 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BIIB

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

BIIB 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

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

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BIIB

15.21

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 15.21 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

VRTX

28.92

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

VRTX’s P/E Ratio of 28.92 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BIIB

2.33

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.33 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

VRTX

9.21

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

VRTX’s P/S Ratio of 9.21 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.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BIIB

1.04

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

BIIB’s P/B Ratio of 1.04 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

VRTX

6.66

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

VRTX’s P/B Ratio of 6.66 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

BIIB vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BIIB	VRTX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	15.21	28.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.33	9.21
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	6.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	12.60	30.06