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PCVX vs. VRTX: Vaxcyte vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison

How do Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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

Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has more than two decades of public-market history since July 24, 1991, whereas Vaxcyte (PCVX) listed on June 12, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Company profile comparison for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Profile ItemPCVXVRTX
NameVaxcyte Inc.Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyBiotechnology
Market Capitalization10.11 billion USD138.71 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateJune 12, 2020July 24, 1991
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

PCVX
VRTX
GSPC
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
Total Return (1Y)59.00%34.89%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)11.29%14.44%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)21.60%23.65%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

PCVX
VRTX
GSPC
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)56.01%29.73%
Beta (5Y)1.260.29
Max Drawdown (5Y)-76.22%-29.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.12M1.25M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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PCVX 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.981.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.761.68

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Vaxcyte (PCVX) reports a negative ROE of -42.68%; 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.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-42.68%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
PCVX
-42.68%
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%
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 30.70% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Vaxcyte (PCVX) at 0.00% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
PCVX
0.00%
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%
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) at 0.00%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Max
83.12%
Q3
14.77%
PCVX
0.00%
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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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
ROE (TTM)-42.68%20.80%
ROA (TTM)-24.98%10.62%
Net Margin (TTM)0.00%30.70%
Operating Margin (TTM)0.00%35.57%
Gross Margin (TTM)0.00%54.81%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Only one side can be read here: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports revenue growth of 8.90%, ranked against its industry; Vaxcyte (PCVX) has no revenue growth figure this period.

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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Neither Vaxcyte (PCVX) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reports a EPS growth value for this period, so a direct comparison isn't possible.

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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
Revenue Growth (YoY)--8.90%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)--10.35%
EPS Growth (YoY)----
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--6.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Vaxcyte (PCVX) at 4.56 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.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.56

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
PCVX
4.56
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
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Vaxcyte (PCVX) at 0.09 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.09

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
PCVX
0.09
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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Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)4.562.34
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.090.31
Net Debt / EBITDA--0.03

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

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

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

PCVX
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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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

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

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

PCVX
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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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) has no P/E ratio this period.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

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

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
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): PCVX 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)

A sales-based read is only available for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), whose P/S ratio of 10.71 ranks against industry peers; Vaxcyte (PCVX) reports no figure this period.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
PCVX
--

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
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Vaxcyte (PCVX) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): PCVX does not report P/S ratio, so it has no value marker; VRTX is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Vaxcyte (PCVX) at 3.83 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.

PCVX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.83

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
PCVX
3.83
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
Loading chart…
Vaxcyte (PCVX) 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 Vaxcyte (PCVX) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricPCVXVRTX
P/E Ratio (TTM)--35.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)--10.71
P/B Ratio (MRQ)3.836.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-5.24%1.69%