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 July 29, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CVS
CVS Health Corp.
$106.06HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 3:45 PM EDT
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$483.90HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 29, 2026, 3:45 PM EDT
Total return — CVS vs VRTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yCVS +1730.8%VRTX +3636.3%VRTX compounded faster
CVS VRTX
CVS vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •CVS is the larger company ($135.33B vs $122.82B market cap).
- •VRTX trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.09 vs 48.17 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •CVS pays a dividend (2.43% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 48.17 | 29.09 |
| Forward P/E | 14.68 | 25.51 |
| P/S ratio | 0.34 | 10.26 |
| P/B ratio | 1.81 | 6.49 |
| PEG ratio | N/A | 3.56 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.81 | 24.48 |
| FCF yield | 5.29% | 2.95% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 86.28% |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 38.97% |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 35.40% |
| ROE | 3.79% | 22.41% |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 18.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.43% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 13.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | 4.01% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 9.14% | 19.38% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CVS or VRTX?
- VRTX has the lower trailing P/E: CVS trades at 48.17 and VRTX at 29.09. 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 8.52% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does CVS or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS pays a dividend (2.43% 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 0.72% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- How have CVS and VRTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CVS delivered 4.77% and VRTX delivered 17.69% 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 yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals 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 July 29, 2026.