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QGEN vs. VRTX: Qiagen vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison

How do Qiagen (QGEN) 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

Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but QGEN is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.

Company profile comparison for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Profile ItemQGENVRTX
NameQiagen N.V.Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock
Country/RegionNetherlandsUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryLife Sciences Tools & ServicesBiotechnology
GICS Sub-IndustryLife Sciences Tools & ServicesBiotechnology
Market Capitalization10.39 billion USD138.71 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateJune 28, 1996July 24, 1991
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

QGEN
VRTX
GSPC
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Qiagen (QGEN) 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Total Return (1Y)17.09%34.89%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)10.44%14.44%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-0.72%23.65%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)35.52%29.73%
Beta (5Y)0.560.29
Max Drawdown (5Y)-41.97%-29.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)3.68M1.25M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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QGEN 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.361.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.601.68

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 10.81% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.81%

Max
109.18%
QGEN
10.81%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 18.20% and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 30.70% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.20%

QGEN
18.20%
Max
18.05%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.75% 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.75%

Max
83.12%
QGEN
27.75%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
ROE (TTM)10.81%20.80%
ROA (TTM)5.68%10.62%
Net Margin (TTM)18.20%30.70%
Operating Margin (TTM)27.75%35.57%
Gross Margin (TTM)67.06%54.81%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 5.65% 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.

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

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Qiagen (QGEN) reports EPS growth of 409.76%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Revenue Growth (YoY)5.65%8.90%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.81%10.35%
EPS Growth (YoY)409.76%--
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)-0.19%6.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.63 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.63

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
QGEN
2.63
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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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 0.47 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.47

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
QGEN
0.47
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.632.34
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.470.31
Net Debt / EBITDA1.080.03

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 Qiagen (QGEN) reports a yield of 0.71%, ranking against industry peers normally.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.71%

QGEN
0.71%
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%
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

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 Qiagen (QGEN) reports a payout of 18.21%, ranking against industry peers normally.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.21%

QGEN
18.21%
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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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.71%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)18.21%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.21 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.21

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
QGEN
27.21
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Qiagen (QGEN) at 4.91 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.91

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
QGEN
4.91
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.99 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.

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.99

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
QGEN
2.99
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
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Qiagen (QGEN) 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 Qiagen (QGEN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricQGENVRTX
P/E Ratio (TTM)27.2135.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)4.9110.71
P/B Ratio (MRQ)2.996.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.62%1.69%