AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
AZN leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 12, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AZN
AstraZeneca PLC
$171.61Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$485.39Healthcare
Total return — AZN vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +658.3%VRTX +3082.9%VRTX compounded faster
AZN VRTX
AZN vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($133.07B vs $123.19B market cap).
- •AZN trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.92 vs 28.79 P/E).
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 17.19% net margin).
- •AZN grew revenue faster over the past five years (16.99% vs 13.82% CAGR).
- •AZN pays a dividend (2.53% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, AZN or VRTX?
Metric tally: AZN 10 · VRTX 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAZN(lower P/E)
GrowthAZN(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.92● | 28.79 |
| Forward P/E | 16.75● | 25.27 |
| P/S ratio | 2.22● | 10.15 |
| P/B ratio | 2.83● | 6.43 |
| PEG ratio | 0.29● | 3.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.96● | 24.23 |
| FCF yield | 6.02%● | 2.98% |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 23.69% | 38.97%● |
| Net margin | 17.19% | 35.40%● |
| ROE | 21.95% | 22.41%● |
| ROIC | 13.03% | 18.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.53% | — |
| Payout ratio | 32.88% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99%● | 13.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02%● | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.68%● | 4.01% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.97% | 19.61%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: AZN (lower P/E); growth: AZN (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AZN leads 10 to 6.
- Is AZN or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AZN is cheaper: AZN trades at a 12.92 P/E and VRTX at 28.79.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, AZN grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does AZN or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN pays a dividend (2.53% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is AZN or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 14.53% versus VRTX at 18.48%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEAstraZeneca operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
AstraZeneca & 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 July 12, 2026.