VRTX vs. APLS

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS).

Performance

VRTX vs. APLS - Performance Comparison

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

VRTX vs. APLS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	-1.50%	12.58%	-1.03%	40.90%	31.50%	-7.08%	7.94%	32.13%	10.58%	1.14%
APLS Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.	60.15%	-21.28%	-46.69%	15.76%	9.37%	-17.34%	86.81%	132.15%	-39.22%	54.67%

Fundamentals

EPS VRTX : $15.35 APLS : $0.27
PE Ratio VRTX : 29.09 APLS : 150.97
PS Ratio VRTX : 9.58 APLS : 4.90
Total Revenue (TTM) VRTX : $12.00B APLS : $689.38M
Gross Profit (TTM) VRTX : $10.35B APLS : $587.15M
EBITDA (TTM) VRTX : $4.74B APLS : $55.43M

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTX achieves a -1.50% return, which is significantly lower than APLS's 60.15% return.

VRTX

• 1D: 0.76%
• 1M: -10.12%
• YTD: -1.50%
• 6M: 14.02%
• 1Y: -7.90%
• 3Y*: 12.33%
• 5Y*: 15.95%
• 10Y*: 18.89%

APLS

• 1D: 135.40%
• 1M: 91.94%
• YTD: 60.15%
• 6M: 77.77%
• 1Y: 83.95%
• 3Y*: -15.19%
• 5Y*: -1.46%
• 10Y*: —

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

Return for Risk

VRTX vs. APLS — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTX

VRTX Risk / Return Rank: 31
VRTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VRTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 29
VRTX Omega Ratio Rank: 29
VRTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 32
VRTX Martin Ratio Rank: 31

APLS

APLS Risk / Return Rank: 76
APLS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
APLS Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
APLS Omega Ratio Rank: 90
APLS Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
APLS Martin Ratio Rank: 67

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.

VRTX vs. APLS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) and Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS). 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.

	VRTX	APLS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.22	0.56	-0.79
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-0.05	2.83	-2.88
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.99	1.40	-0.41
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.33	1.51	-1.84
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.65	2.92	-3.58
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VRTX vs. APLS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.22, which is lower than the APLS Sharpe Ratio of 0.56. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTX and APLS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	VRTX	APLS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.22	0.56	-0.79
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56	-0.02	+0.57
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.26	0.16	+0.10

Correlation

The correlation between VRTX and APLS is 0.27, which is considered to be low. This implies their price changes are not closely related. A low correlation is generally favorable for portfolio diversification, as it helps to reduce overall risk by spreading it across multiple assets with different performance patterns.

Dividends

VRTX vs. APLS - Dividend Comparison

Neither VRTX nor APLS has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Drawdowns

VRTX vs. APLS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTX drawdown since its inception was -91.77%, which is greater than APLS's maximum drawdown of -82.47%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTX and APLS.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTX	APLS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.77%	-82.47%	-9.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-28.06%	-43.53%	+15.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.07%	-82.47%	+53.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.60%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.59%	-56.89%	+43.30%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.81%	-36.84%	-0.97%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.33%	22.49%	-8.16%

Volatility

VRTX vs. APLS - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) is 11.93%, while Apellis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (APLS) has a volatility of 87.24%. This indicates that VRTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than APLS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTX	APLS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.93%	87.24%	-75.31%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	21.67%	100.75%	-79.08%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	35.83%	149.78%	-113.95%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.77%	91.24%	-62.47%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	33.24%	84.22%	-50.98%

Financials