VRTX vs. WST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at VRTX and WST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Life Sciences Tools & Services |
| Market Capitalization | 107.98 billion USD | 19.27 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 24, 1991 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of VRTX and WST 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.01% | -1.91% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -12.07% | 18.46% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -12.99% | 21.80% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -6.12% | -7.74% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.54% | 2.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 4.58% | -18.20% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.84M | 0.62M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.64M | 0.67M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 47.73% | 54.29% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 1.16 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
WST
17.66%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Return on Equity of 17.66% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WST
16.48%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
WST’s Net Profit Margin of 16.48% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
WST
19.65%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
WST’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.65% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 22.14% | 17.66% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 15.87% | 13.10% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 31.86% | 16.48% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.36% | 19.65% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 86.11% | 35.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
2.78
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
WST’s Current Ratio of 2.78 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
0.07
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, WST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.07 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
WST
130.12
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 130.12, WST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.52 | 2.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.00 | 2.08 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.01 | 0.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 72.37 | 130.12 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
WST
0.31%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Yield of 0.31% is consistent with its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
WST
12.32%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
WST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 12.32% is within the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.31% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 12.32% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
VRTX
29.02
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 40.44
- Q3
- 39.37
- Median
- 22.12
- Q1
- 15.76
- Min
- 3.48
VRTX’s P/E Ratio of 29.02 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.
WST
39.27
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
WST’s P/E Ratio of 39.27 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
VRTX
9.24
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 92.67
- Q3
- 41.36
- Median
- 8.45
- Q1
- 4.46
- Min
- 0.97
VRTX’s P/S Ratio of 9.24 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.
WST
6.47
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
WST’s P/S Ratio of 6.47 is in the upper echelon for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
WST
5.37
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
WST’s P/B Ratio of 5.37 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | VRTX | WST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 29.02 | 39.27 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.24 | 6.47 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.66 | 5.37 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.16 | 55.68 |