CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
VRTX leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
CVS
CVS Health Corporation
$101.96Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$444.93Healthcare
Total return — CVS vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yCVS +882.3%VRTX +2389.1%VRTX compounded faster
CVS VRTX
CVS vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •CVS is the larger company ($130.09B vs $112.92B market cap).
- •VRTX trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.39 vs 44.92 P/E).
- •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 (2.61% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, CVS or VRTX?
Metric tally: CVS 5 · VRTX 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueVRTX(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CVS | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.92 | 26.39● |
| Forward P/E | 12.17● | 20.58 |
| P/S ratio | 0.32● | 9.31 |
| P/B ratio | 1.68● | 5.89 |
| PEG ratio | — | 3.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.90● | 20.72 |
| FCF yield | 5.67%● | 3.25% |
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 | 2.61% | — |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | — |
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) | 7.06% | 18.17%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CVS or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: VRTX (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 10 to 5.
- Is CVS or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, VRTX is cheaper: CVS trades at a 44.92 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
- 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 (2.61% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is CVS or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, CVS or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.66% versus VRTX at 17.13%. 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 June 13, 2026.