COST vs. VRTX
COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) and VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) are both stocks. COST operates in Discount Stores (Consumer Defensive), while VRTX operates in Biotechnology (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, COST returned 22.27%/yr vs 17.15%/yr for VRTX. At a 0.22 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
COST vs. VRTX - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, COST achieves a 14.24% return, which is significantly higher than VRTX's -1.86% return. Over the past 10 years, COST has outperformed VRTX with an annualized return of 22.27%, while VRTX has yielded a comparatively lower 17.15% annualized return.
COST
- 1D
- 0.68%
- 1M
- -4.91%
- YTD
- 14.24%
- 6M
- 11.38%
- 1Y
- -1.48%
- 3Y*
- 25.12%
- 5Y*
- 22.12%
- 10Y*
- 22.27%
VRTX
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- -1.80%
- YTD
- -1.86%
- 6M
- -1.57%
- 1Y
- -3.29%
- 3Y*
- 9.16%
- 5Y*
- 18.18%
- 10Y*
- 17.15%
COST vs. VRTX - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | 14.24% | -5.39% | 39.62% | 49.00% | -19.05% | 51.82% | 32.67% | 45.70% | 10.60% | 22.37% |
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | -1.86% | 12.58% | -1.03% | 40.90% | 31.50% | -7.08% | 7.94% | 32.13% | 10.58% | 103.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between COST and VRTX is 0.08, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.08 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.22 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 22, 1993 | 0.22 |
The correlation between COST and VRTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.08 (1 year) to 0.24 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
COST:
$26.51
VRTX:
$16.87
COST:
37.06
VRTX:
26.38
COST:
2.90
VRTX:
2.19
COST:
1.12
VRTX:
9.34
COST:
$293.59B
VRTX:
$12.26B
COST:
$11.12B
VRTX:
$10.57B
COST:
$12.48B
VRTX:
$5.19B
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Return for Risk
COST vs. VRTX — Risk / Return Rank
COST
VRTX
COST vs. VRTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| COST | VRTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.02 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.08 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.00 | 1.02 | -0.01 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.10 | -0.14 | +0.04 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.22 | -0.29 | +0.07 |
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Drawdowns
COST vs. VRTX - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum COST drawdown since its inception was -53.39%, smaller than the maximum VRTX drawdown of -91.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for COST and VRTX.
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Drawdown Indicators
| COST | VRTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -53.39% | -91.77% | +38.38% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -15.14% | -23.56% | +8.42% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -20.74% | -29.07% | +8.33% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -31.40% | -29.07% | -2.33% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -31.40% | -41.60% | +10.20% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -10.23% | -13.90% | +3.67% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -13.36% | -37.73% | +24.37% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 6.67% | 11.30% | -4.63% |
Volatility
COST vs. VRTX - Volatility Comparison
Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) have volatilities of 7.44% and 7.47%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| COST | VRTX | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.44% | 7.47% | -0.03% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.53% | 20.71% | -6.18% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 18.80% | 34.13% | -15.33% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 22.72% | 28.53% | -5.81% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 21.95% | 32.82% | -10.87% |
Dividends
COST vs. VRTX - Dividend Comparison
COST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.55%, while VRTX has not paid dividends to shareholders.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
COST Costco Wholesale Corporation | 0.55% | 0.59% | 0.49% | 2.87% | 0.76% | 0.54% | 3.38% | 0.86% | 1.08% | 4.81% | 1.09% | 4.06% |
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Financials
COST vs. VRTX - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Costco Wholesale Corporation and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
COST vs. VRTX - Profitability Comparison
COST - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported a gross profit of -17.68B and revenue of 70.53B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was -25.1%.
VRTX - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated reported a gross profit of 2.59B and revenue of 2.99B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 86.9%.
COST - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported an operating income of 2.82B and revenue of 70.53B, resulting in an operating margin of 4.0%.
VRTX - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated reported an operating income of 1.14B and revenue of 2.99B, resulting in an operating margin of 38.1%.
COST - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Costco Wholesale Corporation reported a net income of 2.19B and revenue of 70.53B, resulting in a net margin of 3.1%.
VRTX - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated reported a net income of 1.03B and revenue of 2.99B, resulting in a net margin of 34.5%.
Frequently Asked Questions
COST and VRTX have a correlation of 0.08, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
VRTX has higher volatility (7.47%) compared to COST (7.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, COST dropped -53.39% vs VRTX's -91.77%.
COST currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.08 vs -0.10), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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