JNJ vs. VRTX

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) and VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — JNJ in Drug Manufacturers - General, VRTX in Biotechnology. Over the past 10 years, JNJ returned 10.46%/yr vs 17.15%/yr for VRTX. At a 0.21 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

JNJ vs. VRTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, JNJ achieves a 17.68% return, which is significantly higher than VRTX's -1.86% return. Over the past 10 years, JNJ has underperformed VRTX with an annualized return of 10.46%, while VRTX has yielded a comparatively higher 17.15% annualized return.

JNJ

• 1D: 1.07%
• 1M: 4.96%
• YTD: 17.68%
• 6M: 15.11%
• 1Y: 57.15%
• 3Y*: 17.82%
• 5Y*: 10.94%
• 10Y*: 10.46%

VRTX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -1.22%
• YTD: -1.86%
• 6M: -1.57%
• 1Y: -2.31%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 18.18%
• 10Y*: 17.15%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

JNJ vs. VRTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	17.68%	47.48%	-4.81%	-8.58%	5.97%	11.44%	10.82%	16.22%	-5.13%	24.43%
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 JNJ and VRTX is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.33
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.33
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 24, 1991	0.21

The correlation between JNJ and VRTX shifts across timeframes, from 0.21 (all time) to 0.35 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap JNJ : $588.98B VRTX : $114.03B
EPS JNJ : $8.65 VRTX : $16.87
PE Ratio JNJ : 27.85 VRTX : 26.38
PEG Ratio JNJ : 0.93 VRTX : 2.19
PS Ratio JNJ : 6.08 VRTX : 9.34
PB Ratio JNJ : 7.25 VRTX : 4.31
Total Revenue (TTM) JNJ : $96.36B VRTX : $12.26B
Gross Profit (TTM) JNJ : $66.60B VRTX : $10.57B
EBITDA (TTM) JNJ : $31.62B VRTX : $5.19B

Return for Risk

JNJ vs. VRTX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

JNJ

JNJ Risk / Return Rank: 96
JNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
JNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
JNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 97
JNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 93
JNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 94

VRTX

VRTX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VRTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VRTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VRTX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VRTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VRTX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

JNJ vs. VRTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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.

	JNJ	VRTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.42	-0.10	+3.52
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.94	0.10	+4.84
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.61	1.02	+0.59
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.28	-0.14	+5.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	15.52	-0.29	+15.82

JNJ vs. VRTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current JNJ Sharpe Ratio is 3.42, which is higher than the VRTX Sharpe Ratio of -0.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of JNJ and VRTX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

JNJ vs. VRTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum JNJ drawdown since its inception was -50.67%, smaller than the maximum VRTX drawdown of -91.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for JNJ and VRTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	JNJ	VRTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-50.67%	-91.77%	+41.10%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.96%	-23.56%	+12.60%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-15.95%	-29.07%	+13.12%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-18.41%	-29.07%	+10.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.37%	-41.60%	+14.23%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-2.54%	-13.90%	+11.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.90%	-37.73%	+25.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.72%	11.30%	-7.58%

Volatility

JNJ vs. VRTX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is 5.47%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) has a volatility of 7.47%. This indicates that JNJ experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VRTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	JNJ	VRTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	5.47%	7.47%	-2.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.16%	20.71%	-8.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.94%	34.13%	-17.19%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.87%	28.53%	-11.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.48%	32.82%	-14.34%

Dividends

JNJ vs. VRTX - Dividend Comparison

JNJ's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.18%, while VRTX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	2.18%	2.48%	3.40%	3.00%	2.52%	2.45%	2.53%	2.57%	2.74%	2.38%	2.73%	2.87%
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

JNJ vs. VRTX - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Johnson & Johnson and Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

JNJ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a gross profit of 17.20B and revenue of 24.06B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.5%.

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%.

JNJ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported an operating income of 6.40B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.

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%.

JNJ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a net income of 5.24B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in a net margin of 21.8%.

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

Can I hold both JNJ and VRTX in my portfolio?

JNJ and VRTX have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, JNJ or VRTX?

VRTX has higher volatility (7.47%) compared to JNJ (5.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, JNJ dropped -50.67% vs VRTX's -91.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JNJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.42 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.