BMY vs. VRTX: Bristol-Myers Squibb vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BMY is classified in Pharmaceuticals while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 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 | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 127.02 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 38.62% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 12.29% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 5.09% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 28.01% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.19 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -47.67% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 10.85M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.23 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.95 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 44.01% 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.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
44.01%
- Max
- 109.18%
- BMY
- 44.01%
- 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 18.47% 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.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
18.47%
- BMY
- 18.47%
- 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 33.79% 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.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.79%
- Max
- 83.12%
- BMY
- 33.79%
- 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 | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 44.01% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 10.90% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 18.47% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 33.79% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 70.50% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at -0.22% 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
Neither Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports a EPS growth value for this period, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -0.22% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 1.45% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.46% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.59 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.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.59
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- BMY
- 1.59
- 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.91 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.91
- BMY
- 1.91
- 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 | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.59 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.91 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.77 | 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) reports a yield of 3.99%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.99%
- BMY
- 3.99%
- 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) reports a payout of 55.88%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
55.88%
- BMY
- 55.88%
- 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 | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.99% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 55.88% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 13.78 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.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.78
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- BMY
- 13.78
- 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)
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 2.54 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 prices around its industry’s middle — BMY costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.54
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- BMY
- 2.54
- 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)
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 5.43 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 6.63 carries an above-peer premium to book — VRTX is pricier on assets.
BMY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.43
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- BMY
- 5.43
- 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 | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 13.78 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.54 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 5.01% | 1.69% |