Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

VRTX leads on 12 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ISRG vs VRTX

growth of $100 · last 26y
ISRG +20149.3%VRTX +954.6%ISRG compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $10020052010201520202025$20,249$1,055
ISRG VRTX

ISRG vs VRTX: by the numbers

  • ISRG is the larger company ($145.58B vs $112.92B market cap).
  • VRTX trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.39 vs 49.83 P/E).
  • VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 28.15% net margin).
  • ISRG grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.39% vs 13.82% CAGR).

Which is better, ISRG or VRTX?

Metric tally: ISRG 3 · VRTX 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricISRGVRTX
P/E ratio49.8326.39
Forward P/E34.9220.58
P/S ratio13.989.31
P/B ratio8.465.89
PEG ratio3.173.23
EV / EBITDA35.4120.72
FCF yield1.92%3.25%

Profitability

MetricISRGVRTX
Gross margin66.29%86.28%
Operating margin30.45%38.97%
Net margin28.15%35.40%
ROE17.05%22.41%
ROIC13.71%18.12%

Growth (annualized)

MetricISRGVRTX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)18.39%13.82%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.51%8.17%
FCF CAGR (5Y)16.61%4.01%
Total return CAGR (5Y)7.37%18.17%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ISRG or VRTX?
It depends on your goal. value: VRTX (lower P/E); growth: ISRG (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 12 to 3.
Is ISRG or VRTX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, VRTX is cheaper: ISRG trades at a 49.83 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
Which has grown faster, ISRG or VRTX?
Over the past five years, ISRG grew revenue faster — ISRG at a 18.39% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
Is ISRG or VRTX more profitable?
VRTX runs the higher net margin — ISRG at 28.15% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
Which has been the better investment, ISRG or VRTX?
Over the past 10-year, ISRG delivered the higher annualized total return — ISRG at 19.14% 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 15, 2026.