NTRA vs. VRTX: Natera vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Natera (NTRA) 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
Natera (NTRA) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) are both classified in the Biotechnology sub-industry within the broader Biotechnology industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Natera, 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 | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 45.05 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | July 1, 2015 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 61.03% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 92.02% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 23.20% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Natera (NTRA) has an aggressive beta of 1.58, 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.
| Metric | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 52.30% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.58 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -75.72% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.68M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.09 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.63 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Natera (NTRA) reports a negative ROE of -10.55%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports 20.80%, ranking against industry peers normally.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-10.55%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- NTRA
- -10.55%
- 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)
Natera (NTRA) reports a negative net margin of -5.66%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports 30.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-5.66%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- NTRA
- -5.66%
- 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)
Natera (NTRA) reports a negative operating margin of -7.64%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports 35.57%, ranking against industry peers normally.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-7.64%
- Max
- 83.12%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- NTRA
- -7.64%
- 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 | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | -10.55% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | -6.79% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | -5.66% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -7.64% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 65.14% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Natera (NTRA) at 35.90% 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
Neither Natera (NTRA) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports a EPS growth value for this period, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 35.90% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 41.14% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -- | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Natera (NTRA) at 2.81 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 2.34 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for VRTX.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.81
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- NTRA
- 2.81
- Q1
- 2.47
- 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 Natera (NTRA) at 0.13 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.13
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- NTRA
- 0.13
- 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 | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.81 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.13 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | 0.03 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Natera (NTRA) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- NTRA
- 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 Natera (NTRA) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- NTRA
- 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 | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Natera (NTRA) has no P/E ratio this period.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
- NTRA
- --
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 Natera (NTRA) at 15.49 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
15.49
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- NTRA
- 15.49
- Median
- 7.30
- 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 look rich against book: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 6.63 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Natera (NTRA) at 23.99 prices even higher, above its industry range.
NTRA
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.99
- NTRA
- 23.99
- Max
- 13.53
- 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 | NTRA | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | -- | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 15.49 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 23.99 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 0.19% | 1.69% |