JNJ vs. VRTX: Johnson & Johnson vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but JNJ is classified in Pharmaceuticals while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Johnson & Johnson | 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 | 664.95 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 53.82% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 27.51% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 14.71% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 21.23% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.21 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -18.41% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 6.93M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.33 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 3.66 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 20.02% 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.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
20.02%
- Max
- 109.18%
- JNJ
- 20.02%
- 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 16.20% also retains a top-quartile share.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
16.20%
- Max
- 18.05%
- JNJ
- 16.20%
- 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 25.74% 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.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
25.74%
- Max
- 83.12%
- JNJ
- 25.74%
- 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 | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 20.02% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 8.46% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 16.20% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 25.74% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 67.78% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.05% 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: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports EPS growth of 90.50%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.05% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.60% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 90.50% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 17.90% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.02 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.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.02
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- JNJ
- 1.02
- 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)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.55 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.55
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- JNJ
- 0.55
- 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 | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.55 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.79 | 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports a yield of 1.94%, ranking against industry peers normally.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.94%
- JNJ
- 1.94%
- 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reports a payout of 80.12%, ranking against industry peers normally.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
80.12%
- JNJ
- 80.12%
- 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 | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.94% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 80.12% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 41.92 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.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
41.92
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- JNJ
- 41.92
- 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)
On P/S ratio, both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.69 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.69
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- JNJ
- 6.69
- Q1
- 3.01
- 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 8.16 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.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.16
- Max
- 13.53
- JNJ
- 8.16
- 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 | JNJ | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 41.92 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 6.69 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 8.16 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.78% | 1.69% |