Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
A side-by-side comparison of Abbott Laboratories and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 19, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ABT
Abbott Laboratories
$114.46HealthcareDelayed quote: Aug 19, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$552.06HealthcareAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ABT vs VRTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yABT +219.9% (+12.3%/yr)VRTX +452.1% (+18.6%/yr)VRTX compounded faster over this window
ABT VRTX
ABT vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •ABT is the larger company ($198.06B vs $140.12B market cap).
- •VRTX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (32.13 vs 36.79 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (34.89% vs 11.65% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.57% vs 2.98% CAGR).
- •ABT pays a dividend (2.17% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.79 | 32.13 |
| Forward P/E | 20.75 | 29.41 |
| P/S ratio | 4.28 | 11.18 |
| P/B ratio | 3.90 | 6.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.84 | 26.91 |
| FCF yield | 4.37% | 2.69% |
Profitability
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 56.80% | 86.04% |
| Operating margin | 17.03% | 38.59% |
| Net margin | 11.65% | 34.89% |
| ROE | 10.61% | 21.76% |
| ROIC | 6.07% | 17.33% |
Dividends
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.17% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 66.31% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.98% | 13.57% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.22% | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 0.18% | 16.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.07% | 23.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ABT or VRTX?
- VRTX has the lower trailing P/E: ABT trades at 36.79 and VRTX at 32.13. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ABT or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — ABT at a 2.98% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.57%.
- Does ABT or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- ABT pays a dividend (2.17% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is ABT or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — ABT at 11.65% versus VRTX at 34.89%.
- How have ABT and VRTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ABT delivered 12.06% and VRTX delivered 18.87% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Abbott Laboratories P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioAbbott Laboratories dividend yieldAbbott Laboratories ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEAbbott Laboratories operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginAbbott Laboratories revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthAbbott Laboratories free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
Abbott Laboratories & Vertex Pharmaceuticals appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 19, 2026.