DGX vs. VRTX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at DGX and VRTX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Quest Diagnostics Incorporated | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 20.62 billion USD | 101.11 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 17, 1996 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of DGX 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.34% | 1.04% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.53% | -10.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 9.29% | -14.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 22.02% | -19.20% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.15% | -13.68% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 22.23% | -2.07% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.79M | 2.23M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.14M | 1.72M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.44% | 47.18% |
| Beta | 0.56 | 0.44 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
DGX
13.70%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 26.03%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.26%
- Q1
- 4.13%
- Min
- -3.62%
DGX’s Return on Equity of 13.70% is on par with the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
VRTX
22.14%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
DGX
9.03%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.40%
- Q3
- 5.93%
- Median
- 1.96%
- Q1
- 0.93%
- Min
- -6.10%
A Net Profit Margin of 9.03% places DGX in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
VRTX
31.86%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
DGX
14.02%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.05%
- Q3
- 10.21%
- Median
- 4.22%
- Q1
- 1.98%
- Min
- -4.27%
An Operating Profit Margin of 14.02% places DGX in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VRTX
34.36%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 13.70% | 22.14% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.94% | 15.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.03% | 31.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.02% | 34.36% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.23% | 86.11% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
DGX
1.09
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.01
- Q3
- 1.49
- Median
- 1.30
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.17
DGX’s Current Ratio of 1.09 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
VRTX
2.52
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
VRTX’s Current Ratio of 2.52 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
DGX
0.78
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.17
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
DGX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.78 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services 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
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
DGX
7.42
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.15
- Median
- 5.45
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -4.44
DGX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.42 is in the upper quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
VRTX
72.37
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.09 | 2.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 2.00 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.42 | 72.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
DGX
1.67%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.38%
- Q3
- 2.22%
- Median
- 0.55%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DGX’s Dividend Yield of 1.67% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Providers & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
DGX
36.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 186.69%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 26.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
DGX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.00% is within the typical range for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.67% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 36.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
DGX
21.59
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 55.89
- Q3
- 30.85
- Median
- 21.17
- Q1
- 12.63
- Min
- 0.00
DGX’s P/E Ratio of 21.59 is within the middle range for the Health Care Providers & Services 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
28.00
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
VRTX’s P/E Ratio of 28.00 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
DGX
1.95
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 1.74
- Median
- 0.67
- Q1
- 0.24
- Min
- 0.00
DGX’s P/S Ratio of 1.95 is in the upper echelon for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
VRTX
8.92
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
VRTX’s P/S Ratio of 8.92 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
DGX
2.77
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 4.32
- Median
- 2.53
- Q1
- 1.14
- Min
- 0.77
DGX’s P/B Ratio of 2.77 is within the conventional range for the Health Care Providers & Services 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.
VRTX
6.66
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | DGX | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.59 | 28.00 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.95 | 8.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 2.77 | 6.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 16.76 | 29.10 |