TMO vs. VRTX: Thermo Fisher Scientific vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Comparison
How do Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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
Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but TMO is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while VRTX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Thermo Fisher Scientific 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 | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 257.42 billion USD | 138.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | July 24, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 24.62% | 34.89% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 17.34% | 14.44% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 3.11% | 23.65% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 29.96% | 29.73% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.83 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -40.95% | -29.07% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 2.10M | 1.25M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.68 | 1.03 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.02 | 1.68 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 13.38% 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.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.38%
- Max
- 109.18%
- TMO
- 13.38%
- 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%
Net Margin (TTM)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 30.70% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 14.94% also retains a top-quartile share.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
14.94%
- Max
- 18.05%
- TMO
- 14.94%
- 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 20.19% 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.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
20.19%
- Max
- 83.12%
- TMO
- 20.19%
- 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 | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 13.38% | 20.80% |
| ROA (TTM) | 5.19% | 10.62% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 14.94% | 30.70% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 20.19% | 35.57% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 41.26% | 54.81% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 3.91% 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: Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reports EPS growth of 7.32%, ranked against its industry; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 3.91% | 8.90% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | -0.27% | 10.35% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 7.32% | -- |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.21% | 6.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 1.81 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.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.81
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- TMO
- 1.81
- 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 0.75 uses more debt funding than most peers.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.75
- Max
- 1.42
- TMO
- 0.75
- 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 | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.81 | 2.34 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.75 | 0.31 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.91 | 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reports a yield of 0.27%, ranking against industry peers normally.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.27%
- TMO
- 0.27%
- 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)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) reports a payout of 9.70%, ranking against industry peers normally.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
9.70%
- TMO
- 9.70%
- 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 | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.27% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 9.70% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 36.64 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.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
36.64
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- TMO
- 36.64
- 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)
On P/S ratio, both Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 5.44 and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) at 10.71 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.44
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- TMO
- 5.44
- 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)
Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) at 4.70 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.
TMO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.70
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- TMO
- 4.70
- 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 | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 36.64 | 35.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.44 | 10.71 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.70 | 6.63 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.50% | 1.69% |