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).

Total return — ELV vs VRTX

growth of $100 · last 25y
ELV +1875.9%VRTX +1750.0%ELV compounded faster
01k2kStart $10020062011201620212026$1,976$1,850
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 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricELVVRTX
P/E ratio17.1926.39
Forward P/E13.8220.58
P/S ratio0.449.31
P/B ratio2.035.89
PEG ratio2.583.23
EV / EBITDA12.4820.72
FCF yield7.24%3.25%

Profitability

MetricELVVRTX
Gross margin23.16%86.28%
Operating margin3.81%38.97%
Net margin2.62%35.40%
ROE11.94%22.41%
ROIC6.65%18.12%

Dividends

MetricELVVRTX
Dividend yield1.70%
Payout ratio27.24%

Growth (annualized)

MetricELVVRTX
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.

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.