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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.

Company profile comparison for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Profile ItemTMOVRTX
NameThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Common Stock
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited 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 Capitalization257.42 billion USD138.71 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENasdaq
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980July 24, 1991
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

TMO
VRTX
GSPC
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
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

TMO
VRTX
GSPC
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)29.96%29.73%
Beta (5Y)0.830.29
Max Drawdown (5Y)-40.95%-29.07%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.10M1.25M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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TMO 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.681.03
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.021.68

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%
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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% 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%
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

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%
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
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.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

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.

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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
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
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

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
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.812.34
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.750.31
Net Debt / EBITDA2.910.03

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%
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 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%
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
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
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 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
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

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
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Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) 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 Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
MetricTMOVRTX
P/E Ratio (TTM)36.6435.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)5.4410.71
P/B Ratio (MRQ)4.706.63
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.50%1.69%