SNY vs. VRTX: Sanofi vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Sanofi (SNY) 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
Sanofi (SNY) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but SNY is classified in Pharmaceuticals while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades as ordinary local shares, while Sanofi (SNY) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Sanofi ADR | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock |
| Country/Region | France | 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 | 112.71 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | July 1, 2002 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 2.73% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 6.89% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 3.16% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 23.60% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.28 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -33.52% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 3.29M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.07 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.10 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 20.80% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Sanofi (SNY) at 5.72% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for VRTX.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.72%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- SNY
- 5.72%
- 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 Sanofi (SNY) at 8.20% also retains a top-quartile share.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.20%
- Max
- 18.05%
- SNY
- 8.20%
- 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 Sanofi (SNY) at 30.89% 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.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.89%
- Max
- 83.12%
- SNY
- 30.89%
- 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 | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 5.72% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.31% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 8.20% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 30.89% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 73.68% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Sanofi (SNY) at 5.49% 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
Only one side can be read here: Sanofi (SNY) reports EPS growth of 39.43%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 5.49% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 4.82% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 39.43% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 6.02% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Sanofi (SNY) at 1.12 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.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.12
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- SNY
- 1.12
- 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 Sanofi (SNY) at 0.27 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 0.31 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.27
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- SNY
- 0.27
- 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 | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.27 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.96 | 0.03 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neither Sanofi (SNY) nor Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays a dividend this period — they may reinvest, use buybacks, or simply not return cash through dividends.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- SNY
- 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)
Sanofi (SNY) reports payout ratio above 100% at 119.86%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
119.86%
- SNY
- 119.86%
- 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 | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 119.86% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Sanofi (SNY) at 23.40 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.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.40
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- SNY
- 23.40
- 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)
Sanofi (SNY) at 2.21 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 prices around its industry’s middle — SNY costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.21
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- SNY
- 2.21
- 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)
Sanofi (SNY) at 1.38 looks cheap against book in the lower P/B ratio quartile, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 6.63 carries a premium in the upper quartile — a clear price-to-book gap.
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.38
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- SNY
- 1.38
- 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 | SNY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 23.40 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.21 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.38 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 7.17% | 1.69% |