Merck (MRK) 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
Merck (MRK) has outperformed Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) over the past year, gaining 63.0% versus a gain of 23.2%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with +82.3% for MRK. Merck is the larger company by market cap ($344.01 billion vs $126.89 billion), about 2.7 times the size, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs +1.3%).
On valuation, Merck trades at a lower forward P/E (14.8x vs 24.9x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Merck pays a dividend yielding 2.38%, 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 28.1%.
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 | MRK | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $139.44 | $500.61 |
| Market cap | $344.01B | $126.89B |
| 1-day change | -2.35% | -0.99% |
| YTD return | +35.65% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | +62.98% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | +82.29% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 110.66 | 29.16 |
| Forward P/E | 14.82 | 24.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.26 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 2.38% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $3.32 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $65.01B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.31% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $18.25B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 74.80% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 28.08% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $156.92 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $82.01 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.14% | -10.65% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.08% | +14.14% |
| Average volume | 9.77M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 2.47B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 73,000 | 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
- Merck is about 2.7 times larger than Vertex Pharmaceuticals by market value ($344.01B vs $126.89B).
- MRK has outperformed VRTX by 39.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Merck trades at a higher earnings multiple (110.7x vs 29.2x trailing P/E).
- Merck offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.38% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.90% vs +1.31%).
About Merck
MRK stock →Merck & Co., Inc. operates as a healthcare company worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 73,000 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
MRK vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Merck or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Merck (MRK) is larger, with a market capitalization of $344.01B compared with $126.89B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MRK or VRTX?
MRK returned +62.98% 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, MRK or VRTX?
VRTX has the lower trailing P/E at 29.2, versus 110.7 for MRK. 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, Merck or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Merck pays a dividend yielding 2.38%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Merck and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.