MRNA vs. VRTX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MRNA and VRTX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Moderna, Inc. | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 10.46 billion USD | 101.31 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | December 7, 2018 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MRNA 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 | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.75% | 1.34% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 1.89% | -9.23% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -15.76% | -14.50% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -70.11% | -18.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -9.03% | -13.52% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -35.33% | -1.88% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 7.78M | 1.79M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 9.92M | 1.72M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 54.60% | 47.10% |
| Beta | 2.05 | 0.42 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MRNA
-27.46%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
MRNA has a negative Return on Equity of -27.46%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
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)
MRNA
-94.31%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
MRNA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -94.31%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
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)
MRNA
-106.34%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
MRNA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -106.34%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
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 | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -27.46% | 22.14% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -21.24% | 15.87% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -94.31% | 31.86% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -106.34% | 34.36% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.32% | 86.11% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MRNA
3.93
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
MRNA’s Current Ratio of 3.93 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology 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)
MRNA
0.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MRNA’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.
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)
MRNA
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
Interest Coverage Ratio data for MRNA is currently unavailable.
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 | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.93 | 2.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 3.59 | 2.00 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 72.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MRNA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRNA 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.
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)
MRNA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRNA 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.
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 | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MRNA
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for MRNA is currently unavailable.
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)
MRNA
3.39
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, MRNA’s P/S Ratio of 3.39 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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)
MRNA
1.14
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
MRNA’s P/B Ratio of 1.14 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
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 | MRNA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 28.00 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.39 | 8.92 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.14 | 6.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 34.41 | 29.10 |