Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
VRTX leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though TMO is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
TMO
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
$461.69Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$458.99Healthcare
Total return — TMO vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yTMO +1205.7%VRTX +2681.8%VRTX compounded faster
TMO VRTX
TMO vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •TMO is the larger company ($171.57B vs $116.49B market cap).
- •TMO trades at the lower earnings multiple (25.38 vs 27.22 P/E).
- •VRTX converts more revenue to profit (35.40% vs 15.18% net margin).
- •VRTX grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.82% vs 6.68% CAGR).
- •TMO pays a dividend (0.39% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, TMO or VRTX?
Metric tally: TMO 6 · VRTX 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueTMO(lower P/E)
GrowthVRTX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityVRTX(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.38● | 27.22 |
| Forward P/E | 16.98● | 21.23 |
| P/S ratio | 3.81● | 9.60 |
| P/B ratio | 3.32● | 6.08 |
| PEG ratio | 4.51 | 3.33● |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.01● | 21.17 |
| FCF yield | 3.92%● | 3.15% |
Profitability
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.41% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 17.76% | 38.97%● |
| Net margin | 15.18% | 35.40%● |
| ROE | 13.21% | 22.41%● |
| ROIC | 7.58% | 18.12%● |
Dividends
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.39% | — |
| Payout ratio | 10.13% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | TMO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.68% | 13.82%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 1.99% | 8.17%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.19% | 4.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.75% | 19.50%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, TMO or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: TMO (lower P/E); growth: VRTX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: VRTX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, VRTX leads 10 to 6.
- Is TMO or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, TMO is cheaper: TMO trades at a 25.38 P/E and VRTX at 27.22.
- Which has grown faster, TMO or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, VRTX grew revenue faster — TMO at a 6.68% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does TMO or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- TMO pays a dividend (0.39% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is TMO or VRTX more profitable?
- VRTX runs the higher net margin — TMO at 15.18% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, TMO or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — TMO at 12.51% versus VRTX at 18.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Thermo Fisher Scientific P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioThermo Fisher Scientific dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldThermo Fisher Scientific ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROEThermo Fisher Scientific operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginThermo Fisher Scientific revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthThermo Fisher Scientific free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
Thermo Fisher Scientific & 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 18, 2026.