Danaher Corporation (DHR) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

VRTX leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Danaher 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).

Danaher Corporation logo
DHR
Danaher Corporation
$127.47B
$180.10Healthcare
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated logo
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$112.92B
$444.93Healthcare

Total return — DHR vs VRTX

growth of $100 · last 30y
DHR +5181.5%VRTX +2389.1%DHR compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,282$2,489
DHR VRTX

DHR vs VRTX: by the numbers

  • •DHR is the larger company ($127.47B vs $112.92B market cap).
  • •VRTX trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.39 vs 34.84 P/E).
  • •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 14.89% net margin).
  • •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 2.05% CAGR).
  • •DHR pays a dividend (0.76% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.

Which is better, DHR or VRTX?

Metric tally: DHR 4 · VRTX 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueVRTX(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricDHRVRTX
P/E ratio34.8426.39●
Forward P/E19.73●20.58
P/S ratio5.17●9.31
P/B ratio2.42●5.89
PEG ratio87.093.23●
EV / EBITDA21.2020.72●
FCF yield4.13%●3.25%

Profitability

MetricDHRVRTX
Gross margin60.68%86.28%●
Operating margin20.95%38.97%●
Net margin14.89%35.40%●
ROE6.97%22.41%●
ROIC5.72%18.12%●

Dividends

MetricDHRVRTX
Dividend yield0.76%—
Payout ratio26.82%—

Growth (annualized)

MetricDHRVRTX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.05%13.82%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.40%8.17%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.45%4.01%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)-3.38%18.17%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, DHR 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 12 to 4.
Is DHR or VRTX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VRTX is cheaper: DHR trades at a 34.84 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
Which has grown faster, DHR or VRTX?
Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — DHR at a 2.05% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
Does DHR or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
DHR pays a dividend (0.76% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Is DHR or VRTX more profitable?
VRTX runs the higher net margin — DHR at 14.89% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
Which has been the better investment, DHR or VRTX?
Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — DHR at 10.98% versus VRTX at 17.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full DHR analysisFull VRTX analysisInteractive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Danaher P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioDanaher dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldDanaher ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEDanaher operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginDanaher revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthDanaher free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow

Danaher & Vertex Pharmaceuticals appear in these rankings

Highest ROIC StocksHighest Operating Margin StocksHighest FCF Yield StocksBest 10-Year Total Return Stocks

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.