Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has outperformed Abbott Laboratories (ABT) over the past year, gaining 23.2% versus a loss of 25.8%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with -16.0% for ABT. Abbott Laboratories is the larger company by market cap ($170.84 billion vs $128.16 billion), about 1.3 times the size, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs +5.7%).
On valuation, Abbott Laboratories trades at a lower forward P/E (16.3x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Abbott Laboratories pays a dividend yielding 2.51%, 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 14.7%.
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 | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $98.73 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $170.84B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +0.58% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | -21.20% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | -25.78% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | -15.97% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.64 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 16.28 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.12 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.51% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.48 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $44.33B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.67% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.52B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 56.42% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | 18.17% | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 14.72% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $135.13 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $81.97 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.94% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.27% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 9.56M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.73B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 122,000 | 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
- VRTX has outperformed ABT by 49.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Abbott Laboratories offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.51% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.7 cents for Abbott Laboratories.
About Abbott Laboratories
ABT stock →Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 122,000 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
ABT vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Abbott Laboratories or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $170.84B compared with $128.16B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABT or VRTX?
VRTX returned +23.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -25.78% for ABT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABT or VRTX?
VRTX has the lower trailing P/E at 29.4, versus 31.6 for ABT. 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, Abbott Laboratories or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Abbott Laboratories pays a dividend yielding 2.51%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Abbott Laboratories and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.