AbbVie (ABBV) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has outperformed AbbVie (ABBV) over the past year, gaining 23.2% versus a gain of 16.5%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with +148.2% for ABBV. AbbVie is the larger company by market cap ($479.52 billion vs $128.16 billion), about 3.7 times the size, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs +8.6%).
On valuation, AbbVie trades at a lower forward P/E (16.7x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). AbbVie pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay one. Vertex Pharmaceuticals converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 32.9% versus 6.9%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABBV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $271.36 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $479.52B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +1.75% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | +18.76% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | +16.55% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | +148.20% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 76.44 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 16.69 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.55 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $6.83 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $61.16B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.57% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.23B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 70.24% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | 24.65% | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 6.91% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $274.94 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $190.75 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -1.30% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.48% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 4.86M | 1.18M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.77B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 57,000 | 6,400 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AbbVie is about 3.7 times larger than Vertex Pharmaceuticals by market value ($479.52B vs $128.16B).
- AbbVie trades at a higher earnings multiple (76.4x vs 29.4x trailing P/E).
- AbbVie offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.52% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 6.9 cents for AbbVie.
About AbbVie
ABBV stock →AbbVie Inc., a research-based biopharmaceutical company, engages in the research and development, manufacturing, commercializing, and sale of medicines and therapies worldwide. The company offers Skyrizi to treat autoimmune diseases; Rinvoq to treat inflammatory diseases; Imbruvica for the treatment of adult patients with blood cancers; Venclexta to treat blood cancers; Elahere to treat various cancer; and Epkinly to treat lymphoma; and Emrelis for the treatment of lung cancer.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 57,000 employees
About Vertex Pharmaceuticals
VRTX stock →Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated operates as a biotechnology company in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers transformative medicines for people with serious diseases with a focus on specialty markets, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), sickle cell disease (SCD), transfusion dependent beta thalassemia (TDT), and acute pain.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 6,400 employees
ABBV vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, AbbVie or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
AbbVie (ABBV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $479.52B compared with $128.16B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABBV or VRTX?
VRTX returned +23.24% over the past 12 months, compared with +16.55% for ABBV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABBV or VRTX?
VRTX has the lower trailing P/E at 29.4, versus 76.4 for ABBV. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AbbVie or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
AbbVie pays a dividend yielding 2.52%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AbbVie and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.