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Relative Intelligence · Biotechnology

How Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on VRTX alone. It places VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where VRTX stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: VRTX's full trading record, from July 1991 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against VRTX →Chart VRTX vs. 24 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in VRTX have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in VRTX over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of VRTX over the same span and VRTX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 223 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VRTX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • GILD$2M+15,614% total · +19.1% a year
  • DHR$777,394+7,674% total · +16.2% a year
  • REGN$683,800+6,738% total · +15.7% a year
  • AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
  • LLY$396,376+3,864% total · +13.5% a year
  • BIIB$323,632+3,136% total · +12.7% a year
  • VRTX$276,941+2,669% total · +12.1% a year
  • TMO$235,386+2,254% total · +11.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • INCY$57,786+478% total · +6.2% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 370 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of VRTX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000202120222023202420252026
  • LLY$52,411+424% total · +39.3% a year
  • CAH$49,682+397% total · +37.8% a year
  • TEVA$40,657+307% total · +32.4% a year
  • XOM$32,965+230% total · +26.9% a year
  • UTHR$29,358+194% total · +24.0% a year
  • ABBV$29,134+191% total · +23.8% a year
  • VRTX$28,822+188% total · +23.6% a year
  • EXEL$27,629+176% total · +22.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
  • PTCT$17,410+74.1% total · +11.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

VRTX at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$130B
Industry
Biotechnology
Price history from
July 1991

Returns

Past 1 year
+22.8%total return
Past 3 years
+42.2%+12.5% a year
Past 5 years
+177%+22.6% a year
Past 10 years
+521%+20.0% a year
Best calendar year
+309%2000
Worst calendar year
−65.6%2001
Losing years
11 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
29.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.85return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−91.8%Nov 2000 to Nov 2003
From its all-time high
−7.8%below the peak

VRTX against the whole market

Where VRTX ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does VRTX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks VRTX on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how VRTX stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureVRTXRankStanding
1-year return+22.8%1,160 of 3,287top 35%
3-year return+42.2%1,664 of 3,017bottom 46%
5-year return+177%373 of 2,893top 13%
10-year return+521%290 of 2,202top 13%
Volatility, 5 years29.1%643 of 2,893top 22%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.85223 of 2,893top 8%
Worst decline, past 10 years−41.6%192 of 2,187top 9%

What has beaten VRTX on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). VRTX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than VRTX with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to VRTX; faint dots are 11 more of the 16 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than VRTXWAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BLX: +31.4% a year, volatility 25.9%EPU: +29.5% a year, volatility 24.9%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EXEL: +24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%TEVA: +32.2% a year, volatility 42.8%HALO: +26.6% a year, volatility 40.4%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%VRTXSPY (S&P 500)LLYEXELGILDABBVTEVAHALOCAHXOMMCKNHCDXJVGTMPLX10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than VRTXWAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%PAA: +27.0% a year, volatility 25.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%PAGP: +26.8% a year, volatility 26.1%DTM: +24.5% a year, volatility 25.2%HSBC: +33.1% a year, volatility 25.9%WELL: +26.0% a year, volatility 23.8%WMB: +24.6% a year, volatility 24.0%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%BLX: +31.4% a year, volatility 25.9%EPU: +29.5% a year, volatility 24.9%VRTX: +22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%LLY: +40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EXEL: +24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%GILD: +22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%TEVA: +32.2% a year, volatility 42.8%HALO: +26.6% a year, volatility 40.4%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%XOM: +27.1% a year, volatility 26.5%MCK: +38.7% a year, volatility 25.0%NHC: +32.0% a year, volatility 28.5%MUFG: +33.2% a year, volatility 29.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%VGT: +18.4% a year, volatility 26.0%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%VRTXSPY (S&P 500)LLYEXELGILDABBVTEVAHALOCAHMCKNHCMUFGDXJVGTMPLX
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than VRTX?

Investments that beat VRTX over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat VRTX over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks VRTX's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than VRTX follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than VRTX's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× VRTX's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than VRTX's.

Screen the whole market against VRTX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 15 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with VRTX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
VRTXVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated · this page
+22.6%29.1%0.85−41.6%+521%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.170.09%
Popular alternativesbest 3 shownThe investments people most often weigh against VRTX. 3 of 24 passed at least one test.
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periodsSmaller losses in recent crashes+40.7%32.8%1.21−34.5%+1,807%0.32—
EXELExelixis, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+24.4%35.8%0.79−57.2%+448%0.10—
GILDGilead Sciences, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+22.8%24.9%0.95−30.5%+200%0.27—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 3 shownEverything else in Biotechnology and the categories next to it (Pharmaceuticals, Life Sciences Tools, Contract Research), plus VRTX's specific themes. 3 of 77 passed at least one test.
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.25—
TEVATeva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return in most periods+32.2%42.8%0.86−85.5%−3.6%-0.11—
HALOHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return in most periods+26.6%40.4%0.79−49.1%+1,196%0.16—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 115 of 3,532 passed at least one test.
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.29—
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.14—
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.33—
NHCNational HealthCare Corporation · Medical - Care Facilities
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+32.0%28.5%1.12−35.3%+394%0.16—
MUFGMitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+33.2%29.4%1.13−54.9%+483%-0.03—
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatility+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.190.48%
VGTVanguard Information Technology ETF · Technology Equity
Higher return in most periods+18.4%26.0%0.78−35.1%+779%0.070.09%
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
On the frontierSimilar return, lower volatility+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.20—
What these numbers mean for VRTX
Annual return
VRTX returned 22.6% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $27,700. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
VRTX's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.1%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VRTX's return lands within 29.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
VRTX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.85, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VRTX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
VRTX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 41.6%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 41.6% fall takes a 71.2% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, VRTX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.17 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VRTX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VRTX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 16 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than VRTX with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with VRTXExpense
1
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.29—
2
XOMExxonmobil Holdings Corporation · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+27.1%26.5%1.04−61.0%+214%0.14—
3
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+38.7%25.0%1.44−38.1%+586%0.33—
4
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Whole market+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.07—
5
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Same or nearby category+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.25—
6
PAAPlains All American Pipeline, L.P. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+27.0%25.6%1.06−87.9%+64.0%0.15—
7
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.40—
8
PAGPPlains GP Holdings LP · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+26.8%26.1%1.05−88.0%+56.3%0.18—
9
DTMDT Midstream, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.5%25.2%1.00−23.6%—0.11—
10
HSBCHSBC Holdings plc · Banks
Whole market+33.1%25.9%1.24−62.3%+319%0.07—
11
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.190.48%
12
WELLWelltower Inc. · Healthcare REITs
Whole market+26.0%23.8%1.09−63.3%+379%0.30—
13
WMBThe Williams Companies, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+24.6%24.0%1.04−68.1%+288%0.21—
14
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.25—
15
BLXBladex, Inc. · Banks - Regional
Whole market+31.4%25.9%1.19−68.5%+290%-0.09—
16
EPUiShares MSCI Peru and Global Exposure ETF · International
Whole market+29.5%24.9%1.17−51.0%+275%0.250.59%

VRTX against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against VRTX, compared period by period and year by year.

How do VRTX's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at VRTX, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than VRTX with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%−40.0%−30.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityVRTX: 22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PTCT: 11.9% a year, volatility 55.0%IQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%INCY: 12.2% a year, volatility 30.1%BIIB: −1.8% a year, volatility 34.7%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%REGN: 7.7% a year, volatility 31.1%NTLA: −38.0% a year, volatility 78.0%SRPT: −24.8% a year, volatility 70.3%RARE: −26.9% a year, volatility 58.4%ALNY: 2.5% a year, volatility 50.9%CRSP: −12.7% a year, volatility 60.9%NBIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 33.2%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%IONS: 8.3% a year, volatility 43.9%BMRN: −5.6% a year, volatility 33.0%BEAM: −23.3% a year, volatility 75.0%BNTX: −19.3% a year, volatility 52.6%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EXEL: 24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%UTHR: 23.6% a year, volatility 35.1%ARGX: 24.1% a year, volatility 39.9%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%VRTXSPY (S&P 500)PTCTIQVGILDINCYBIIBDHRREGNNTLASRPTRAREALNYCRSPNVOIONSBMRNBEAMBNTXLLYEXELARGXTMOAMGN0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%−40.0%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityVRTX: 22.6% a year, volatility 29.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%PTCT: 11.9% a year, volatility 55.0%IQV: 1.3% a year, volatility 34.7%GILD: 22.8% a year, volatility 24.9%INCY: 12.2% a year, volatility 30.1%BIIB: −1.8% a year, volatility 34.7%DHR: −3.8% a year, volatility 29.1%REGN: 7.7% a year, volatility 31.1%NTLA: −38.0% a year, volatility 78.0%SRPT: −24.8% a year, volatility 70.3%RARE: −26.9% a year, volatility 58.4%ALNY: 2.5% a year, volatility 50.9%CRSP: −12.7% a year, volatility 60.9%NBIX: 6.6% a year, volatility 33.2%NVO: −4.0% a year, volatility 39.1%IONS: 8.3% a year, volatility 43.9%BMRN: −5.6% a year, volatility 33.0%BEAM: −23.3% a year, volatility 75.0%BNTX: −19.3% a year, volatility 52.6%LLY: 40.7% a year, volatility 32.8%EXEL: 24.4% a year, volatility 35.8%UTHR: 23.6% a year, volatility 35.1%ARGX: 24.1% a year, volatility 39.9%TMO: 2.9% a year, volatility 27.8%AMGN: 19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%VRTXSPY (S&P 500)PTCTIQVGILDBIIBREGNNTLASRPTRAREALNYCRSPNBIXNVOIONSBNTXLLYARGX
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
LLY Eli Lilly and Company+40.7%32.8%
EXEL Exelixis, Inc.+24.4%35.8%
ARGX argenx SE+24.1%39.9%
UTHR United Therapeutics Corporation+23.6%35.1%
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.+22.8%24.9%
VRTX This pageVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated+22.6%29.1%
AMGN Amgen Inc.+19.6%24.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
INCY Incyte Corporation+12.2%30.1%
PTCT PTC Therapeutics, Inc.+11.9%55.0%
IONS Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.+8.3%43.9%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.+7.7%31.1%
NBIX Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.+6.6%33.2%
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.+2.9%27.8%
ALNY Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.+2.5%50.9%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.+1.3%34.7%
BIIB Biogen Inc.−1.8%34.7%
DHR Danaher Corporation−3.8%29.1%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S−4.0%39.1%
BMRN BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.−5.6%33.0%
CRSP CRISPR Therapeutics AG−12.7%60.9%
BNTX BioNTech SE−19.3%52.6%
BEAM Beam Therapeutics Inc.−23.3%75.0%
SRPT Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.−24.8%70.3%
RARE Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.−26.9%58.4%
NTLA Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.−38.0%78.0%
Open these 26 in EasyCompare

Has VRTX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares VRTX with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than VRTX helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than VRTX over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (this page)—+0.8%+7.1%+17.2%+13.8%+22.8%+42.2%+177%+521%29.1%0.85−41.6%—$130B—
LLY QualifiedEli Lilly and Company5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+10.2%+12.1%+40.0%+19.4%+59.7%+124%+451%+1,807%32.8%1.21−34.5%—$1.2T—
EXEL QualifiedExelixis, Inc.5/5 short2/3 long+12.5%+16.0%+47.6%+47.8%+86.4%+205%+198%+448%35.8%0.79−57.2%—$16B—
UTHR BiotechnologyUnited Therapeutics Corporation2/5 short2/3 long+12.3%+4.6%−3.4%+11.5%+28.0%+146%+188%+390%35.1%0.78−55.6%—$24B—
PTCT BiotechnologyPTC Therapeutics, Inc.0/5 short2/3 long−3.6%−19.3%−13.0%−18.0%−8.0%+171%+75.4%+796%55.0%0.48−73.8%—$5.3B—
ARGX Biotechnologyargenx SE0/5 short2/3 long−12.0%+2.8%+4.2%+3.5%+2.4%+83.1%+194%—39.9%0.74−38.2%—$54B—
TMO Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchThermo Fisher Scientific Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+4.3%+30.7%+30.9%+16.3%+26.8%+49.5%+15.1%+366%27.8%0.24−40.9%—$254B—
AMGN Drug Manufacturers - GeneralAmgen Inc.5/5 short1/3 long+11.6%+21.2%+27.0%+36.7%+48.7%+72.2%+145%+266%24.9%0.85−24.9%—$237B—
IQV Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchIQVIA Holdings Inc.4/5 short1/3 long−0.8%+31.4%+51.5%+18.8%+26.3%+45.3%+6.5%+260%34.7%0.21−51.5%—$44B—
GILD Drug Manufacturers - GeneralGilead Sciences, Inc.4/5 short1/3 long+4.0%+18.2%+16.6%+31.0%+30.3%+121%+180%+200%24.9%0.95−30.5%—$194B—
INCY BiotechnologyIncyte Corporation3/5 short1/3 long−6.4%+0.8%+20.3%+15.0%+35.3%+112%+77.6%+31.8%30.1%0.53−66.5%—$24B—
BIIB Drug Manufacturers - GeneralBiogen Inc.5/5 short0/3 long+11.0%+21.6%+32.6%+36.7%+65.8%−5.6%−8.8%−18.9%34.7%0.11−72.7%—$36B—
DHR Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchDanaher Corporation2/5 short0/3 long+4.0%+11.6%+15.0%−2.2%+8.3%+10.8%−17.6%+232%29.1%0.01−43.8%—$157B—
REGN BiotechnologyRegeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long+1.2%+20.3%+8.0%+4.4%+40.7%+0.8%+44.9%+120%31.1%0.40−59.7%—$83B—
NTLA BiotechnologyIntellia Therapeutics, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−3.1%+8.4%−22.2%+28.6%−57.7%−55.6%−90.8%−5.0%78.0%-0.22−96.5%—$1.7B—
SRPT BiotechnologySarepta Therapeutics, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−4.8%+13.9%−10.5%−10.0%−16.8%−82.8%−76.0%−60.9%70.3%-0.03−93.3%—$2.0B—
RARE BiotechnologyUltragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+9.4%−43.8%−36.1%−32.1%−53.4%−51.6%−79.2%−75.9%58.4%-0.22−92.7%—$1.6B—
ALNY BiotechnologyAlnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−5.6%−15.4%−25.8%−42.3%−53.0%+42.6%+13.2%+514%50.9%0.29−58.2%—$31B—
CRSP BiotechnologyCRISPR Therapeutics AG0/5 short0/3 long−14.5%+6.2%−13.5%−7.2%−32.6%+29.2%−49.3%+258%60.9%0.08−85.1%—$4.8B—
NBIX BiotechnologyNeurocrine Biosciences, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−1.4%−17.9%+7.9%+1.0%+0.5%+28.6%+37.4%+211%33.2%0.36−46.4%—$14B—
NVO Drug Manufacturers - GeneralNovo Nordisk A/S0/5 short0/3 long−1.1%−20.0%−1.5%−23.9%−28.5%−57.0%−18.5%+134%39.1%0.09−75.2%—$174B—
IONS BiotechnologyIonis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+1.1%−14.3%−39.4%−43.0%−38.3%−1.6%+48.8%+58.8%43.9%0.40−70.4%—$7.5B—
BMRN BiotechnologyBioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−11.9%−4.5%+2.8%−5.1%+6.3%−31.3%−24.9%−33.0%33.0%-0.01−62.1%—$11B—
BEAM BiotechnologyBeam Therapeutics Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−1.3%−5.3%−20.1%−8.1%−18.6%+40.9%−73.5%—75.0%0.01−89.1%—$2.6B—
BNTX BiotechnologyBioNTech SE0/5 short0/3 long−7.0%−1.1%−13.3%−5.7%−15.5%+0.3%−65.7%—52.6%-0.15−82.3%—$23B—
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How did VRTX do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where VRTX ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with VRTX and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of VRTX; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places VRTX among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of VRTX20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
VRTX This pageVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated—+12.6%−1.0%+40.9%+31.5%−7.1%+7.9%+32.1%+10.6%+103%−41.4%+5.9%+59.9%+77.3%+26.2%−5.2%−18.3%+41.0%+30.8%−37.9%+35.2%+162%+2.1%−34.7%−35.5%−65.6%+309%+17.6%−9.8%−18.0%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 8 of 2914 of 2513 of 255 of 255 of 2517 of 2517 of 2410 of 2310 of 233 of 2218 of 2015 of 203 of 197 of 1711 of 1710 of 1716 of 175 of 171 of 1715 of 176 of 171 of 1710 of 1616 of 1610 of 1616 of 161 of 158 of 138 of 139 of 12
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF15 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company17 of 29+40.3%+33.3%+60.9%+34.3%+66.1%+31.0%+16.2%+40.5%+17.8%−10.4%+25.4%+39.8%+7.3%+24.2%+25.2%+3.6%−6.2%−21.3%+5.7%−5.2%+2.6%−17.6%+13.1%−17.6%−14.4%+41.9%−24.3%+29.1%+93.6%
EXEL Exelixis, Inc.12 of 25+31.6%+38.8%+49.6%−12.3%−8.9%+13.9%−10.4%−35.3%+104%+164%+292%−76.5%+34.1%−3.6%−42.3%+11.4%+46.8%−41.8%−4.1%−4.5%−0.8%+34.8%−11.9%−51.9%+13.6%————
UTHR United Therapeutics Corporation14 of 26+38.1%+60.5%−20.9%+28.7%+42.4%+72.3%−19.1%−26.4%+3.1%−8.4%+20.9%+14.5%+112%+13.1%−25.3%+20.1%+68.3%−35.9%+79.7%−21.3%+53.1%+96.7%+37.5%+60.3%−29.4%−67.9%———
PTCT PTC Therapeutics, Inc.6 of 12+68.3%+63.8%−27.8%−4.2%−34.7%+27.1%+40.0%+106%+52.9%−66.3%−37.4%+205%—————————————————
ARGX argenx SE6 of 8+36.7%+61.7%+0.4%+8.2%+19.1%+83.2%+67.1%+52.1%—————————————————————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.15 of 29+11.8%−1.7%−3.4%−17.3%+43.5%+43.7%+45.6%+18.2%+35.0%−0.1%+13.8%+13.1%+75.8%+43.2%−18.8%+16.1%+40.0%−40.9%+27.4%+50.3%−0.2%+19.8%+25.3%−15.7%+5.6%+98.2%−11.4%−61.5%+6.7%
AMGN Amgen Inc.15 of 29+29.7%−6.8%+13.5%+20.4%+0.9%−2.0%+27.6%+15.2%+22.3%−7.6%+4.0%+42.3%+34.8%+36.8%+18.2%−3.0%−2.0%+24.3%−32.0%−13.4%+22.9%+3.8%+27.8%−14.4%−11.7%+6.5%+130%+93.3%−0.4%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.6 of 12+14.7%−15.1%+12.9%−27.4%+57.5%+16.0%+33.0%+18.7%+28.7%+10.8%+16.6%+27.0%—————————————————
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.17 of 29+36.6%+18.7%−2.0%+23.6%+29.9%−6.7%+7.9%−9.9%+3.0%−27.6%+8.6%+25.5%+105%+79.5%+12.9%−16.3%−15.4%+11.2%+41.7%+23.4%+50.2%+20.1%+71.4%+3.6%+58.2%+53.9%+31.7%+6.7%+53.6%
INCY Incyte Corporation14 of 29+43.0%+10.0%−21.8%+9.4%−15.6%−0.4%+37.3%−32.9%−5.5%−7.5%+48.3%+44.4%+205%+10.7%−9.4%+81.8%+140%−62.3%+72.1%+9.4%−46.6%+46.1%+50.0%−76.5%−21.9%−17.1%+60.5%−16.9%+74.7%
BIIB Biogen Inc.14 of 29+15.1%−40.9%−6.6%+15.4%−2.0%−17.5%−1.4%−5.5%+12.3%−7.4%−9.8%+21.4%+91.0%+33.0%+64.1%+25.3%+12.3%−16.3%+15.7%+8.6%−32.0%+81.5%+10.6%−51.9%+9.1%+93.0%+318%+36.6%+44.7%
DHR Danaher Corporation16 of 29+0.4%−0.4%−1.2%−19.0%+48.6%+45.4%+49.5%+11.8%+20.0%+73.2%+9.3%+11.6%+38.3%+19.1%−0.1%+25.7%+33.0%−35.4%+21.3%+30.1%−2.7%+25.3%+39.7%+9.1%−11.7%+41.5%−11.0%+72.4%+35.2%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.12 of 29+9.0%−18.9%+21.7%+14.2%+30.7%+28.7%+0.5%−0.7%+2.4%−32.4%+32.3%+49.0%+60.9%+209%+68.8%+35.8%+31.7%−24.0%+20.3%+26.2%+72.7%−37.4%−20.6%−34.3%−20.2%+177%+72.8%−13.8%−46.9%
NTLA Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.2 of 9−22.9%−61.8%−12.6%−70.5%+117%+271%+7.5%−29.0%+46.6%————————————————————
SRPT Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.12 of 28−82.3%+26.1%−25.6%+43.9%−47.2%+32.1%+18.2%+96.1%+103%−28.9%+167%−29.0%−21.1%+473%−64.6%+45.2%+121%−53.2%−55.7%−7.8%+46.8%−42.3%−18.6%−54.2%+130%−12.7%+36.0%−41.3%—
RARE Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.3 of 11−45.3%−12.0%+3.2%−44.9%−39.3%+224%−1.8%−6.3%−34.0%−37.3%+156%——————————————————
ALNY Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.11 of 21+69.0%+22.9%−19.5%+40.1%+30.5%+12.8%+58.0%−42.6%+239%−60.2%−2.9%+50.8%+252%+124%−17.3%−44.0%−28.7%−15.0%+35.9%+60.2%+78.8%————————
CRSP CRISPR Therapeutics AG5 of 9+33.2%−37.1%+54.0%−46.4%−50.5%+151%+113%+21.7%+15.9%————————————————————
NBIX Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.12 of 29+3.9%+3.6%+10.3%+40.2%−11.1%−10.8%+50.5%−8.0%+100%−31.6%+153%+139%+24.9%−12.0%+11.3%+181%−15.0%−29.5%−56.4%−83.4%+27.2%−9.6%+19.4%−11.0%+54.9%+33.9%+260%−12.7%−21.2%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S16 of 29−39.2%−15.9%+54.8%+22.6%+63.5%+23.3%+28.7%−11.8%+54.3%−36.6%+39.3%+16.7%+15.3%+44.0%+4.1%+79.3%+27.2%−19.8%+57.4%+51.3%+5.6%+34.6%+43.5%−27.0%+14.4%+39.0%−1.9%−7.3%+54.9%
IONS Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.10 of 29+126%−30.9%+33.9%+24.1%−46.2%−6.4%+11.8%+7.5%+5.2%−22.8%+0.3%+55.0%+282%+44.8%−28.7%−8.9%−21.6%−10.0%+41.6%+112%−11.2%−9.2%−1.4%−70.3%+109%+70.1%−51.7%+5.1%−31.6%
BMRN BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.10 of 26−9.6%−31.8%−6.8%+17.1%+0.8%+3.7%−0.7%−4.5%+7.6%−20.9%+15.9%+28.5%+43.0%+43.1%+27.7%+43.2%+5.7%−49.7%+116%+52.0%+68.7%−17.6%+10.1%−47.5%+38.7%−17.5%———
BEAM Beam Therapeutics Inc.1 of 5+11.8%−8.9%−30.4%−50.9%−2.4%————————————————————————
BNTX BioNTech SE3 of 6−16.4%+8.0%−29.7%−41.0%+216%+141%———————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How VRTX has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were VRTX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents VRTX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1991, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means VRTX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringVRTX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−91.8%−23.1%Nov 2000Nov 20033 yearsJul 201410.7 years
No named crash−70.2%+20.6%Feb 1997Aug 199818 monthsFeb 200018 months
No named crash−60.8%—Jan 1992Jun 19925 monthsOct 199316 months
Dot-com bust−55.3%−2.4%Mar 2000Apr 20001 monthJun 20002 months
2015 China and oil sell-off−49.1%+11.8%Aug 2015Dec 201616 monthsJul 20177 months

How did VRTX do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far VRTX, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than VRTX.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
VRTX This pageVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated—0.0%−19.2%−19.4%−21.2%−8.8%−43.7%−23.9%−2.7%−59.9%−86.7%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF7 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
LLY Eli Lilly and Company8 of 10−0.6%−11.7%−16.9%−10.2%−8.6%−19.6%−10.9%0.0%−50.0%−54.3%
EXEL Exelixis, Inc.1 of 90.0%−35.4%−33.7%−24.9%−8.7%−36.4%−43.7%−5.4%−80.0%—
UTHR United Therapeutics Corporation3 of 10−1.8%−22.3%−31.2%−21.2%−5.3%−31.3%−35.1%−3.5%−57.8%−93.2%
PTCT PTC Therapeutics, Inc.1 of 6−8.2%−43.4%−45.5%−36.8%−7.4%−47.7%————
ARGX argenx SE2 of 50.0%−26.0%−32.8%−19.8%−1.2%—————
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.4 of 10−2.4%−19.8%−24.8%−17.2%−8.7%−14.7%−24.4%−3.6%−53.9%−41.8%
AMGN Amgen Inc.9 of 10−1.2%−11.9%−18.3%−14.3%−7.4%−22.1%−12.6%−0.5%−31.3%−60.2%
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.3 of 6−6.8%−35.9%−48.9%−19.2%−5.3%−28.7%————
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.7 of 10−1.6%−20.0%−13.7%−22.7%−5.5%−28.7%−18.2%−2.1%−34.3%−53.6%
INCY Incyte Corporation2 of 10−2.4%−20.4%−23.7%−16.4%−4.8%−50.2%−32.9%−4.5%−83.5%−97.1%
BIIB Biogen Inc.5 of 10−2.5%−22.4%−21.2%−21.7%−9.3%−24.6%−19.4%−0.6%−52.7%−59.8%
DHR Danaher Corporation6 of 10−3.2%−22.8%−25.9%−13.4%−9.8%−14.0%−21.8%−0.6%−45.7%−33.7%
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.7 of 10−0.2%−25.8%−12.7%−17.3%−7.3%−37.7%−23.2%−7.2%−49.9%−71.6%
NTLA Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.0 of 5−11.0%−66.1%−38.3%−60.4%−9.6%—————
SRPT Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.0 of 10−6.7%−29.7%−33.6%−39.7%−12.6%−74.3%−39.5%−5.0%−84.4%−87.3%
RARE Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.0 of 6−8.8%−56.5%−45.1%−56.9%−9.6%−61.4%————
ALNY Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.3 of 9−4.1%−28.9%−30.0%−33.7%−6.9%−48.9%−39.3%−1.5%−58.6%—
CRSP CRISPR Therapeutics AG0 of 5−9.8%−41.0%−42.0%−51.1%−16.3%—————
NBIX Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.2 of 10−3.5%−24.3%−27.9%−45.1%−5.7%−44.1%−32.8%−7.1%−83.0%−65.8%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S7 of 10−1.1%−21.4%−23.7%−13.8%−3.9%−20.8%−23.1%−1.7%−40.9%−51.0%
IONS Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.4 of 10−5.8%−26.3%−32.6%−18.1%−8.5%−48.8%−25.7%−2.1%−45.6%−74.6%
BMRN BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.1 of 10−4.5%−22.9%−26.3%−24.4%−11.6%−53.6%−23.1%−4.1%−74.9%−89.7%
BEAM Beam Therapeutics Inc.0 of 3−14.0%−61.9%−52.8%———————
BNTX BioNTech SE0 of 3−1.2%−45.7%−49.5%———————
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How closely does VRTX move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares VRTX with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than VRTX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
VRTX This pageVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated87%50%1.750.46
LLY Eli Lilly and Company101%6%15.730.37
EXEL Exelixis, Inc.74%43%1.720.73
UTHR United Therapeutics Corporation75%45%1.660.52
GILD Gilead Sciences, Inc.52%36%1.440.35
AMGN Amgen Inc.74%64%1.160.54
NBIX Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.69%66%1.040.56
DHR Danaher Corporation84%84%1.010.75
TMO Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.104%104%1.000.81
ALNY Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.92%93%0.990.73
PTCT PTC Therapeutics, Inc.112%115%0.970.85
REGN Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.55%66%0.840.19
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S75%94%0.800.60
IQV IQVIA Holdings Inc.128%167%0.771.31
INCY Incyte Corporation52%87%0.600.77
IONS Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.71%125%0.560.74
NTLA Intellia Therapeutics, Inc.139%283%0.492.00
BIIB Biogen Inc.35%91%0.380.28
SRPT Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.71%217%0.330.89
BMRN BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.20%70%0.290.38
RARE Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc.19%142%0.131.07
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What diversifies VRTX?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with VRTX's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing VRTX with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which VRTX lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% VRTX and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202120162011201020072003200220011998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (this page)1.00+177%0.85−1.0%−7.1%−41.4%−5.2%−18.3%−37.9%−34.7%−35.5%−65.6%−9.8%−18.0%25.6%+23.6%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.24+119%1.48+15.9%+17.8%—————————21.0%+22.8%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.19+225%1.34+29.8%+18.0%+1.1%−16.1%−1.8%−7.4%—————21.1%+24.9%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.23+101%1.04+33.4%+23.1%+29.8%————————21.3%+22.6%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.31+83.3%1.00+14.1%+19.6%+15.9%————————21.5%+21.8%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.03+323%0.97+39.1%+42.1%+35.6%+6.8%+19.0%+6.0%+87.3%−47.0%−14.6%——21.8%+28.0%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.31+85.0%0.96+13.4%+19.6%+6.3%————————21.3%+22.1%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.19+126%0.96+26.7%−4.2%+8.0%+9.6%+29.3%+30.4%—————21.4%+23.3%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.14+136%0.93+45.8%+22.7%+7.4%————————21.4%+24.1%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202120162011201020072003200220011998199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (this page)1.00+177%0.85−1.0%−7.1%−41.4%−5.2%−18.3%−37.9%−34.7%−35.5%−65.6%−9.8%−18.0%25.6%+23.6%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.29+479%1.55+19.0%−0.4%−17.5%+8.1%+21.4%−9.8%+3.5%−8.3%−2.5%+51.7%+29.1%22.6%+27.2%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.00+3,143%1.47+215%+37.9%+7.4%−24.4%+2.8%−25.7%+6.9%−65.1%−25.6%——23.6%+41.6%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.-0.02+1,636%1.46+107%+89.0%+18.3%−17.0%+8.7%+2.1%+63.6%−9.4%+73.7%−9.5%—22.2%+37.2%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.33+413%1.44+23.7%+44.2%−28.3%+11.8%+13.8%+29.7%+19.9%−27.2%+4.9%+46.9%+96.3%22.7%+26.5%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.04+690%1.41−4.0%+61.0%+0.7%————————21.7%+29.8%
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Common questions

What was VRTX's worst drawdown?

VRTX's deepest decline since it began trading in 1991 was 91.8%, from November 2000 to November 2003. It took about 11 years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were VRTX's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, VRTX's best year was 2000, when it returned 309%. Its worst was 2001, with a return of -65.6%.

Is there a better investment than VRTX?

Among VRTX's popular alternatives, LLY earned more for the risk it took than VRTX over the past 5 years, and its worst fall in 10 years was 34.5%, against 41.6% for VRTX. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, ABBV (pharmaceuticals) earned more than VRTX with less volatility over the past 5 years: 26.1% a year at 23.4% volatility, against 22.6% a year at 29.1%.

Is VRTX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. VRTX's volatility over the past 5 years was 29.1%, 1.7 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, VRTX's return lands within 29.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is VRTX's Sharpe ratio?

VRTX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.85, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so VRTX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is VRTX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, VRTX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.17 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They are only loosely linked, which makes it a real diversifier next to an index fund. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against VRTX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a VRTX holding.

What are the best alternatives to VRTX?

Of the 24 popular alternatives we compared, two outperformed VRTX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: LLY and EXEL.

Did VRTX outperform the S&P 500?

VRTX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 13 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +12.6%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did VRTX do in stock market crashes?

VRTX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in three of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in seven. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when VRTX fell 86.7% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies VRTX?

These had a low correlation with VRTX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.24), DXJ (correlation 0.19) and EMLP (correlation 0.23); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.29), CLS (correlation 0.00) and FIX (correlation -0.02). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to VRTX

Other stocks and ETFs