Pfizer Inc. (PFE) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
VRTX leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics, though PFE is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Pfizer 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).
PFE
Pfizer Inc.
$26.21Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$444.93Healthcare
Total return — PFE vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yPFE +119.0%VRTX +2424.4%VRTX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
PFE VRTX
PFE vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •PFE is the larger company ($149.38B vs $112.92B market cap).
- •PFE trades at the lower earnings multiple (20.01 vs 26.39 P/E).
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 11.83% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 8.22% CAGR).
- •PFE pays a dividend (6.56% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, PFE or VRTX?
Metric tally: PFE 6 · VRTX 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValuePFE(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.01● | 26.39 |
| Forward P/E | 9.25● | 20.58 |
| P/S ratio | 2.37● | 9.31 |
| P/B ratio | 1.67● | 5.89 |
| PEG ratio | — | 3.23 |
| EV / EBITDA | 12.72● | 20.72 |
| FCF yield | 6.31%● | 3.25% |
Profitability
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.35% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 23.45% | 38.97%● |
| Net margin | 11.83% | 35.40%● |
| ROE | 8.31% | 22.41%● |
| ROIC | 8.84% | 18.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 6.56% | — |
| Payout ratio | 126.47% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | PFE | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.22% | 13.82%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -3.78% | 8.17%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -3.79% | 4.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -3.33% | 18.17%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, PFE or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: PFE (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 9 to 6.
- Is PFE or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, PFE is cheaper: PFE trades at a 20.01 P/E and VRTX at 26.39.
- Which has grown faster, PFE or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — PFE at a 8.22% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does PFE or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- PFE pays a dividend (6.56% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is PFE or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — PFE at 11.83% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, PFE or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — PFE at 2.13% versus VRTX at 17.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Pfizer P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioPfizer dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldPfizer ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEPfizer operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginPfizer revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthPfizer free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
Pfizer & 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 14, 2026.