Elevance Health Inc. (ELV) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
VRTX leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though ELV is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Elevance Health Inc. 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).
ELV
Elevance Health Inc.
$404.07Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$444.93Healthcare
Total return — ELV vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 25yELV +1875.9%VRTX +1750.0%ELV compounded faster
ELV VRTX
ELV vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •VRTX is the larger company ($112.92B vs $87.75B market cap).
- •ELV trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.19 vs 26.39 P/E).
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 2.62% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 9.97% CAGR).
- •ELV pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, ELV or VRTX?
Metric tally: ELV 7 · VRTX 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueELV(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | ELV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 17.19● | 26.39 |
| Forward P/E | 13.82● | 20.58 |
| P/S ratio | 0.44● | 9.31 |
| P/B ratio | 2.03● | 5.89 |
| PEG ratio | 2.58● | 3.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.48● | 20.72 |
| FCF yield | 7.24%● | 3.25% |
Profitability
| Metric | ELV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 23.16% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 3.81% | 38.97%● |
| Net margin | 2.62% | 35.40%● |
| ROE | 11.94% | 22.41%● |
| ROIC | 6.65% | 18.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ELV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.70% | — |
| Payout ratio | 27.24% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ELV | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.97% | 13.82%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.67% | 8.17%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -7.76% | 4.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.50% | 18.17%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, ELV or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: ELV (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 9 to 7.
- Is ELV or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, ELV is cheaper: ELV trades at a 17.19 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
- Which has grown faster, ELV or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — ELV at a 9.97% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does ELV or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- ELV pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is ELV or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — ELV at 2.62% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, ELV or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — ELV at 13.43% versus VRTX at 17.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Elevance Health P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioElevance Health dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldElevance Health ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEElevance Health operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginElevance Health revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthElevance Health free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
Elevance 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.