PFE vs. VRTX: Pfizer vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Pfizer (PFE) 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
Pfizer (PFE) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but PFE is classified in Pharmaceuticals while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Pfizer 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 | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 167.52 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 28.65% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 6.41% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -3.98% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 21.72% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.35 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -58.96% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 33.67M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.12 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.73 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 20.80% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Pfizer (PFE) at 4.47% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for VRTX.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.47%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- PFE
- 4.47%
- 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 Pfizer (PFE) at 6.34% also retains a top-quartile share.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.34%
- Max
- 18.05%
- PFE
- 6.34%
- 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 Pfizer (PFE) at 33.38% 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.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.38%
- Max
- 83.12%
- PFE
- 33.38%
- 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 | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 4.47% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.59% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 6.34% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 33.38% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 74.90% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 8.90% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Pfizer (PFE) at -1.65% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.
EPS Growth
Only one side can be read here: Pfizer (PFE) reports EPS growth of -3.55%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | -1.65% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -14.80% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -3.55% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -37.12% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Pfizer (PFE) at 1.42 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.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.42
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- PFE
- 1.42
- 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 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Pfizer (PFE) at 0.71 uses more debt funding than most peers.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.71
- Max
- 1.42
- PFE
- 0.71
- 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 | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.42 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.71 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.97 | 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 Pfizer (PFE) reports a yield of 7.30%, ranking against industry peers normally.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.30%
- PFE
- 7.30%
- 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)
Pfizer (PFE) reports payout ratio above 100% at 245.71%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
245.71%
- PFE
- 245.71%
- 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 | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 7.30% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 245.71% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Pfizer (PFE) at 41.99 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.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
41.99
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- PFE
- 41.99
- 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)
Pfizer (PFE) at 2.63 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 prices around its industry’s middle — PFE costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.63
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- PFE
- 2.63
- 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)
Pfizer (PFE) at 1.88 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.
PFE
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.88
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- PFE
- 1.88
- 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 | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 41.99 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.63 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.88 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 7.76% | 1.69% |