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ELAN vs. VRTX: Elanco Animal Health vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison

How do Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) 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

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ELAN is classified in Pharmaceuticals while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.

Company profile comparison for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Profile ItemELANVRTX
NameElanco Animal Health IncorporatedVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsBiotechnology
Market Capitalization12.86 billion USD138.71 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateSeptember 20, 2018July 24, 1991
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ELAN
VRTX
GSPC
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Total Return (1Y)24.03%34.89%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)37.47%14.44%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-4.24%23.65%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ELAN
VRTX
GSPC
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has an aggressive beta of 1.65, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is defensive at 0.29 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Risk profile metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)43.57%29.73%
Beta (5Y)1.650.29
Max Drawdown (5Y)-75.59%-29.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)5.65M1.25M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ELAN and VRTX are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.451.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.661.68

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) earns 20.80% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no ROE this period.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
ELAN
--

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%
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): ELAN does not report ROE, so it has no value marker; VRTX is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Net Margin (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports a negative net margin of -2.86%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports 30.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-2.86%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
ELAN
-2.86%
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%
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 35.57% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.64%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.64%

Max
83.12%
Q3
14.77%
ELAN
6.64%
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%
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
ROE (TTM)--20.80%
ROA (TTM)--10.62%
Net Margin (TTM)-2.86%30.70%
Operating Margin (TTM)6.64%35.57%
Gross Margin (TTM)56.18%54.81%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 6.22% 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.

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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) reports EPS growth of -169.12%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Revenue Growth (YoY)6.22%8.90%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)2.25%10.35%
EPS Growth (YoY)-169.12%--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--6.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) shows current ratio of 2.34 against its industry benchmark, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no reading this period.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
ELAN
--

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
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): ELAN does not report current ratio, so it has no value marker; VRTX is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 0.64 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.64

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
ELAN
0.64
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
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)--2.34
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.640.31
Net Debt / EBITDA3.490.03

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Neither Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ELAN
0.00%
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%
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Neither Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ELAN
0.00%
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%
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Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at 35.21 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) has no P/E ratio this period.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
ELAN
--

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
Loading chart…
Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): ELAN does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; VRTX is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 2.50 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 prices around its industry’s middle — ELAN costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.50

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
ELAN
2.50
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
Loading chart…
Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) at 1.95 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.

ELAN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.95

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
ELAN
1.95
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
Loading chart…
Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Elanco Animal Health (ELAN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricELANVRTX
P/E Ratio (TTM)--35.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.5010.71
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.956.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)--1.69%