PRLB vs. VRTX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRLB (Proto Labs, Inc.) and VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) are both stocks. PRLB operates in Metal Fabrication (Industrials), while VRTX operates in Biotechnology (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, PRLB returned 1.02%/yr vs 16.38%/yr for VRTX. At a 0.26 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

PRLB vs. VRTX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) 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, PRLB achieves a 47.60% return, which is significantly higher than VRTX's -5.52% return. Over the past 10 years, PRLB has underperformed VRTX with an annualized return of 1.02%, while VRTX has yielded a comparatively higher 16.38% annualized return.

PRLB

• 1D: -4.58%
• 1M: 16.06%
• YTD: 47.60%
• 6M: 45.90%
• 1Y: 98.80%
• 3Y*: 31.31%
• 5Y*: -3.31%
• 10Y*: 1.02%

VRTX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -0.35%
• YTD: -5.52%
• 6M: -7.51%
• 1Y: -4.06%
• 3Y*: 8.67%
• 5Y*: 15.33%
• 10Y*: 16.38%

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

PRLB vs. VRTX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRLB Proto Labs, Inc.	47.60%	29.42%	0.33%	52.60%	-50.28%	-66.53%	51.06%	-9.97%	9.50%	100.58%
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	-5.52%	12.58%	-1.03%	40.90%	31.50%	-7.08%	7.94%	32.13%	10.58%	103.42%

Correlation

The correlation between PRLB and VRTX is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.17
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.21
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.26
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 27, 2012	0.26

Fundamentals

Market Cap PRLB : $1.81B VRTX : $109.78B
EPS PRLB : $1.06 VRTX : $16.87
PE Ratio PRLB : 70.27 VRTX : 25.40
PS Ratio PRLB : 3.31 VRTX : 8.99
PB Ratio PRLB : 2.65 VRTX : 4.15
Total Revenue (TTM) PRLB : $546.26M VRTX : $12.26B
Gross Profit (TTM) PRLB : $245.03M VRTX : $10.57B
EBITDA (TTM) PRLB : $60.04M VRTX : $5.19B

Return for Risk

PRLB vs. VRTX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRLB

PRLB Risk / Return Rank: 91
PRLB Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PRLB Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
PRLB Omega Ratio Rank: 90
PRLB Calmar Ratio Rank: 91
PRLB Martin Ratio Rank: 92

VRTX

VRTX Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 36
VRTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 31
VRTX Omega Ratio Rank: 31
VRTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 34
VRTX Martin Ratio Rank: 33

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.

PRLB vs. VRTX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) 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.

	PRLB	VRTX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.22	-0.12	+2.34
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.50	0.07	+3.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.01	+0.43
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.09	-0.17	+5.27
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	14.93	-0.37	+15.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRLB vs. VRTX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRLB Sharpe Ratio is 2.22, which is higher than the VRTX Sharpe Ratio of -0.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRLB 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.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PRLB	VRTX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.22	-0.12	+2.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.07	0.53	-0.60
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.02	0.50	-0.48
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.15	0.25	-0.11

Drawdowns

PRLB vs. VRTX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRLB drawdown since its inception was -91.22%, roughly equal to the maximum VRTX drawdown of -91.77%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRLB and VRTX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRLB	VRTX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.22%	-91.77%	+0.55%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-19.51%	-23.56%	+4.05%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-35.14%	-29.07%	-6.07%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-77.19%	-29.07%	-48.12%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-91.22%	-41.60%	-49.62%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-70.31%	-17.11%	-53.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-43.22%	-37.70%	-5.52%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	6.64%	11.14%	-4.50%

Volatility

PRLB vs. VRTX - Volatility Comparison

Proto Labs, Inc. (PRLB) has a higher volatility of 10.09% compared to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) at 7.03%. This indicates that PRLB's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VRTX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRLB	VRTX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	10.09%	7.03%	+3.06%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	33.26%	21.69%	+11.57%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	44.85%	33.88%	+10.97%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	50.45%	28.90%	+21.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	47.93%	32.82%	+15.11%

Dividends

PRLB vs. VRTX - Dividend Comparison

Neither PRLB nor VRTX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

PRLB vs. VRTX - Profitability Comparison

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

PRLB - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported a gross profit of 63.59M and revenue of 139.34M. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 45.6%.

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%.

PRLB - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported an operating income of 9.84M and revenue of 139.34M, resulting in an operating margin of 7.1%.

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%.

PRLB - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Proto Labs, Inc. reported a net income of 8.11M and revenue of 139.34M, resulting in a net margin of 5.8%.

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 PRLB and VRTX in my portfolio?

PRLB and VRTX have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRLB or VRTX?

PRLB has higher volatility (10.09%) compared to VRTX (7.03%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRLB dropped -91.22% vs VRTX's -91.77%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRLB currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.22 vs -0.12), 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.