Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
VRTX leads on 8 of 15 compared metrics, though ABT is the cheaper stock.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
ABT
Abbott Laboratories
$88.18Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$444.93Healthcare
Total return — ABT vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yABT +814.7%VRTX +2424.4%VRTX compounded faster
ABT VRTX
ABT vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •ABT is the larger company ($153.59B vs $112.92B market cap).
- •ABT trades at the lower earnings multiple (24.56 vs 26.39 P/E).
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 13.91% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 3.87% CAGR).
- •ABT pays a dividend (2.77% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ABT or VRTX?
Metric tally: ABT 7 · VRTX 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueABT(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 24.56● | 26.39 |
| Forward P/E | 14.56● | 20.58 |
| P/S ratio | 3.41● | 9.31 |
| P/B ratio | 2.96● | 5.89 |
| PEG ratio | 2.99● | 3.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.30● | 20.72 |
| FCF yield | 4.79%● | 3.25% |
Profitability
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 56.38% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 18.17% | 38.97%● |
| Net margin | 13.91% | 35.40%● |
| ROE | 12.06% | 22.41%● |
| ROIC | 8.43% | 18.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.77% | — |
| Payout ratio | 65.24% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ABT | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 3.87% | 13.82%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 8.22% | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.61% | 4.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.49% | 18.17%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ABT or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: ABT (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 8 to 7.
- Is ABT or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ABT is cheaper: ABT trades at a 24.56 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
- Which has grown faster, ABT or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — ABT at a 3.87% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does ABT or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- ABT pays a dividend (2.77% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is ABT or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — ABT at 13.91% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, ABT or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — ABT at 10.72% versus VRTX at 17.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Abbott Laboratories P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioAbbott Laboratories dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals 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 June 14, 2026.