Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) has outperformed Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) over the past year, gaining 33.7% versus a gain of 23.2%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with +2.3% for BMY. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is the larger company by market cap ($128.16 billion vs $121.95 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Bristol-Myers Squibb trades at a lower forward P/E (9.1x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Bristol-Myers Squibb pays a dividend yielding 4.20%, 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 14.6%.
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 | BMY | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $59.70 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $121.95B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +0.18% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | +10.68% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | +33.68% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | +2.30% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 13.15 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 9.06 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.54 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 4.20% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $2.51 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $48.19B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -0.22% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.05B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 71.08% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 14.64% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $68.64 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $42.52 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.02% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +10.84% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 11.22M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.04B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 32,500 | 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
- BMY has outperformed VRTX by 10.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.4x vs 13.1x trailing P/E).
- Bristol-Myers Squibb offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (4.20% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 14.6 cents for Bristol-Myers Squibb.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.90% vs -0.22%).
About Bristol-Myers Squibb
BMY stock →Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. The company offers products for oncology, hematology, immunology, cardiovascular, and neuroscience indications.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 32,500 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
BMY vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Bristol-Myers Squibb or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $128.16B compared with $121.95B for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, BMY or VRTX?
BMY returned +33.68% over the past 12 months, compared with +23.24% for VRTX (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, BMY or VRTX?
BMY has the lower trailing P/E at 13.1, 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, Bristol-Myers Squibb or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Bristol-Myers Squibb pays a dividend yielding 4.20%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Bristol-Myers Squibb and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.