Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

GILD leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Gilead Sciences, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — GILD vs VRTX

growth of $100 · last 30y
GILD +14253.1%VRTX +2424.4%GILD compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$14,353$2,524
GILD VRTX

GILD vs VRTX: by the numbers

  • GILD is the larger company ($155.93B vs $112.92B market cap).
  • GILD trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.11 vs 26.39 P/E).
  • VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 30.99% net margin).
  • VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 3.07% CAGR).
  • GILD pays a dividend (1.91% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.

Which is better, GILD or VRTX?

Metric tally: GILD 9 · VRTX 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueGILD(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityGILD(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricGILDVRTX
P/E ratio17.1126.39
Forward P/E13.0020.58
P/S ratio5.309.31
P/B ratio6.705.89
PEG ratio0.013.23
EV / EBITDA12.9120.72
FCF yield6.49%3.25%

Profitability

MetricGILDVRTX
Gross margin79.35%86.28%
Operating margin38.26%38.97%
Net margin30.99%35.40%
ROE39.19%22.41%
ROIC21.53%18.12%

Dividends

MetricGILDVRTX
Dividend yield1.91%
Payout ratio35.09%

Growth (annualized)

MetricGILDVRTX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.07%13.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)133.83%8.17%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.30%4.01%
Total return CAGR (5Y)17.06%18.17%

Frequently asked

Which is better, GILD or VRTX?
It depends on your goal. value: GILD (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: GILD (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, GILD leads 9 to 6.
Is GILD or VRTX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, GILD is cheaper: GILD trades at a 17.11 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
Which has grown faster, GILD or VRTX?
Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — GILD at a 3.07% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
Does GILD or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
GILD pays a dividend (1.91% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Is GILD or VRTX more profitable?
VRTX runs the higher net margin — GILD at 30.99% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
Which has been the better investment, GILD or VRTX?
Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — GILD at 7.79% 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 14, 2026.