CVS Health Corp. (CVS) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corp. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CVS
CVS Health Corp.
$94.66HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$515.44HealthcareDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — CVS vs VRTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCVS +40.4% (+3.5%/yr)VRTX +462.1% (+18.8%/yr)VRTX compounded faster over this window
CVS VRTX
CVS vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •VRTX is the larger company ($130.82B vs $120.78B market cap).
- •CVS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.04 vs 30.00 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (34.89% vs 1.18% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.57% vs 8.32% CAGR).
- •CVS pays a dividend (2.79% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.04 | 30.00 |
| Forward P/E | 11.83 | 27.49 |
| P/S ratio | 0.29 | 10.36 |
| P/B ratio | 1.52 | 6.46 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.50 | 24.88 |
| FCF yield | 9.74% | 2.90% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 14.15% | 86.04% |
| Operating margin | 2.00% | 38.59% |
| Net margin | 1.18% | 34.89% |
| ROE | 6.16% | 21.76% |
| ROIC | 4.14% | 17.33% |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.79% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 70.37% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.32% | 13.57% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.28% | 16.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.05% | 22.61% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CVS or VRTX?
- CVS has the lower trailing P/E: CVS trades at 25.04 and VRTX at 30.00. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CVS or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.32% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.57%.
- Does CVS or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS pays a dividend (2.79% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is CVS or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — CVS at 1.18% versus VRTX at 34.89%.
- How have CVS and VRTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CVS delivered 3.54% and VRTX delivered 18.72% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldCVS Health ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROECVS Health operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginCVS Health revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
CVS Health & 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 September 11, 2026.