Pfizer (PFE) 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 Pfizer (PFE) over the past year, gaining 23.2% versus a gain of 6.6%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with -32.5% for PFE. Pfizer is the larger company by market cap ($159.59 billion vs $128.16 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is growing revenue faster (+8.9% vs -1.6%).
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.7x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Pfizer pays a dividend yielding 6.14%, 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 12.4%.
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 | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $28.00 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $159.59B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +1.82% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | +12.45% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | +6.59% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | -32.51% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 36.36 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 9.67 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.77 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 6.14% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $1.72 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $62.58B | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -1.65% | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.77B | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | 74.33% | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.77% |
| Net margin | 12.42% | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $29.21 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $23.62 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -4.14% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +3.25% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 36.02M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 5.70B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 75,000 | 6,400 |
| Sector | Healthcare | Health Care |
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - General | 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 PFE by 16.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Pfizer offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.14% vs 0.00%).
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals is more profitable, keeping 32.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.4 cents for Pfizer.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.90% vs -1.65%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Pfizer in Healthcare and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Health Care.
About Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Healthcare · Drug Manufacturers - General · 75,000 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
PFE vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Pfizer or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Pfizer (PFE) is larger, with a market capitalization of $159.59B compared with $128.16B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, PFE or VRTX?
VRTX returned +23.24% over the past 12 months, compared with +6.59% for PFE (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, PFE or VRTX?
VRTX has the lower trailing P/E at 29.4, versus 36.4 for PFE. 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, Pfizer or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Pfizer pays a dividend yielding 6.14%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Pfizer and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
No. Pfizer is in the Healthcare sector, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals is in Health Care.