VKTX vs. VRTX: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 8, 2025

Here’s a clear look at VKTX and VRTX, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
Company Name	Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	3.63 billion USD	103.40 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqCM	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	April 28, 2015	July 24, 1991
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of VKTX and VRTX by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

VKTX vs. VRTX: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
5-Day Price Return	22.83%	2.02%
13-Week Price Return	17.34%	-12.25%
26-Week Price Return	35.01%	-16.81%
52-Week Price Return	-49.65%	-12.73%
Month-to-Date Return	22.83%	2.98%
Year-to-Date Return	-19.78%	0.15%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.80M	1.84M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.53M	1.65M
3-Month Volatility	105.14%	47.38%
Beta	0.57	0.31

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

VKTX

-19.98%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

VKTX has a negative Return on Equity of -19.98%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

VRTX

22.14%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 97.92%
Q3: 11.99%
Median: -19.30%
Q1: -51.29%
Min: -132.03%

In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, VRTX’s Return on Equity of 22.14% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

VKTX

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

Net Profit Margin data for VKTX is currently unavailable.

VRTX

31.86%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 73.34%
Q3: 18.98%
Median: -12.96%
Q1: -105.72%
Min: -259.82%

A Net Profit Margin of 31.86% places VRTX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

VKTX

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

Operating Profit Margin data for VKTX is currently unavailable.

VRTX

34.36%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 21.90%
Median: -13.30%
Q1: -109.94%
Min: -278.10%

An Operating Profit Margin of 34.36% places VRTX in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
Return on Equity (TTM)	-19.98%	22.14%
Return on Assets (TTM)	-19.38%	15.87%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	--	31.86%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	--	34.36%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	--	86.11%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

VKTX

25.86

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

VKTX’s Current Ratio of 25.86 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

VRTX

2.52

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 16.97
Q3: 8.39
Median: 4.11
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.74

VRTX’s Current Ratio of 2.52 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

VKTX

0.00

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

VKTX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

VRTX

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.92
Q3: 0.79
Median: 0.12
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

VRTX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

VKTX

-10.12

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

VKTX has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -10.12. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

VRTX

72.37

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.03
Median: -9.59
Q1: -65.05
Min: -163.11

VRTX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 72.37 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
Current Ratio (MRQ)	25.86	2.52
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	25.26	2.00
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.00	0.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	-10.12	72.37

Growth

Revenue Growth

VKTX vs. VRTX: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

VKTX vs. VRTX: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

VKTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VKTX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

VRTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRTX currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

VKTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VKTX has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

VRTX

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

VRTX has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

VKTX

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

P/E Ratio data for VKTX is currently unavailable.

VRTX

28.92

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 40.44
Q3: 39.37
Median: 22.12
Q1: 15.76
Min: 3.48

VRTX’s P/E Ratio of 28.92 is within the middle range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

VKTX

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

P/S Ratio data for VKTX is currently unavailable.

VRTX

9.21

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 92.67
Q3: 41.36
Median: 8.45
Q1: 4.46
Min: 0.97

VRTX’s P/S Ratio of 9.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

VKTX

3.74

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

VKTX’s P/B Ratio of 3.74 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

VRTX

6.66

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 22.72
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.55
Q1: 2.44
Min: 0.59

VRTX’s P/B Ratio of 6.66 is within the conventional range for the Biotechnology industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

VKTX vs. VRTX: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Biotechnology industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	VKTX	VRTX
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	--	28.92
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	--	9.21
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.74	6.66
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	--	30.06