AstraZeneca (AZN) 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 AstraZeneca (AZN) over the past year, gaining 23.2% versus a loss of 6.8%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with +32.9% for AZN. AstraZeneca is the larger company by market cap ($248.33 billion vs $128.16 billion), about 1.9 times the size, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs +8.6%).
On valuation, AstraZeneca trades at a lower forward P/E (13.8x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). AstraZeneca pays a dividend yielding 2.02%, 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 17.4%.
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 | AZN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $160.12 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $248.33B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +0.95% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | -12.91% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | -6.77% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | +32.95% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.93 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 13.85 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.69 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.02% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.23 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $58.74B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.63% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.22B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 81.90% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | 23.40% | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 17.41% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $212.71 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $153.41 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -24.72% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +31.99% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 3.41M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.55B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 96,100 | 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 AZN by 30.0 percentage points over the past year.
- AstraZeneca offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.02% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 17.4 cents for AstraZeneca.
About AstraZeneca
AZN stock →AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company offers Imjudo, Datroway, Iressa, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Crestor, Andexxa, Onglyza, Symlin, XIGDUO XR, Atacand, Atacand HCT, Atacand Plus, Farxiga/Forxiga, Plendil, Modip, Splendil, Munobal, Flodil, Tenormin, Tenormine, Prenormine, Atenol, Zestril, Brilinta/Brilique, Komboglyze, Qtern, Wainua, Byetta, Lokelma, Seloken ZOK, Toprol-XL, Betaloc ZOK, XIGDUO, Accolate, Accoleit, Vanticon, Bricanyl Respules, Eklira Genuair/Tudorza/Bretaris, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Symbicort Turbuhaler, Airsupra, Bricanyl Turbuhaler, Fasenra, Rhinocort, Tezspire, Bevespi Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Oxis Turbuhaler, Saphnelo, Breztri Aerosphere, Duaklir Genuair, Pulmicort Respules, and Symbicort pMDI.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 96,100 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
AZN vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, AstraZeneca or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
AstraZeneca (AZN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $248.33B compared with $128.16B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZN or VRTX?
VRTX returned +23.24% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.77% for AZN (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AZN or VRTX?
AZN has the lower trailing P/E at 23.9, versus 29.4 for VRTX. 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, AstraZeneca or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
AstraZeneca pays a dividend yielding 2.02%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are AstraZeneca and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.