IQV vs. VRTX: IQVIA vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do IQVIA (IQV) 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
IQVIA (IQV) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but IQV is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | IQVIA Holdings Inc. | 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 | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 44.80 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | May 9, 2013 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 32.11% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 13.15% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 2.00% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 40.77% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.14 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -51.52% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.40M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.68 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.03 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 21.39% 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.39%
- Max
- 109.18%
- IQV
- 21.39%
- 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)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 30.70% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and IQVIA (IQV) at 8.05% also retains a top-quartile share.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.05%
- Max
- 18.05%
- IQV
- 8.05%
- 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)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 35.57% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of IQVIA (IQV) at 13.73%, which runs around its industry’s norm.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.73%
- Max
- 83.12%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- IQV
- 13.73%
- 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 | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 21.39% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.08% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 8.05% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 13.73% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 33.07% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 5.87% 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
Only one side can be read here: IQVIA (IQV) reports EPS growth of 4.67%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 5.87% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.21% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 4.67% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 11.08% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 0.83 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.83
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- IQV
- 0.83
- 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 IQVIA (IQV) at 2.40 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.40
- IQV
- 2.40
- 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 | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.83 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 2.40 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.46 | 0.03 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither IQVIA (IQV) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- IQV
- 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%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Neither IQVIA (IQV) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- IQV
- 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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 33.07 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.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.07
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- IQV
- 33.07
- Median
- 26.69
- 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)
IQVIA (IQV) at 2.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 prices around its industry’s middle — IQV costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.59
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- IQV
- 2.59
- 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)
Both IQVIA (IQV) at 6.73 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 6.63 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.
IQV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.73
- Max
- 13.53
- IQV
- 6.73
- Q3
- 6.54
- 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 | IQV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 33.07 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.59 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 6.73 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.72% | 1.69% |