VRTX vs. AVAV
VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) and AVAV (AeroVironment, Inc.) are both stocks. VRTX operates in Biotechnology (Healthcare), while AVAV operates in Aerospace & Defense (Industrials). Over the past 10 years, VRTX returned 17.15%/yr vs 18.47%/yr for AVAV. At a 0.23 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
VRTX vs. AVAV - Performance Comparison
Loading charts...
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, VRTX achieves a -1.86% return, which is significantly higher than AVAV's -29.48% return. Over the past 10 years, VRTX has underperformed AVAV with an annualized return of 17.15%, while AVAV has yielded a comparatively higher 18.47% annualized return.
VRTX
- 1D
- -0.03%
- 1M
- 1.83%
- YTD
- -1.86%
- 6M
- -1.57%
- 1Y
- -2.31%
- 3Y*
- 9.16%
- 5Y*
- 18.18%
- 10Y*
- 17.15%
AVAV
- 1D
- -7.14%
- 1M
- 7.96%
- YTD
- -29.48%
- 6M
- -28.63%
- 1Y
- -12.57%
- 3Y*
- 20.96%
- 5Y*
- 8.68%
- 10Y*
- 18.47%
VRTX vs. AVAV - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated | -1.86% | 12.58% | -1.03% | 40.90% | 31.50% | -7.08% | 7.94% | 32.13% | 10.58% | 103.42% |
AVAV AeroVironment, Inc. | -29.48% | 57.18% | 22.10% | 47.14% | 38.09% | -28.62% | 40.75% | -9.14% | 20.99% | 109.32% |
Correlation
The correlation between VRTX and AVAV is 0.02, 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 | 0.02 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.09 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.14 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.19 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 23, 2007 | 0.23 |
Over the past year, the correlation between VRTX and AVAV has dropped to 0.02 - well below their long-term average of 0.23, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.
Fundamentals
VRTX:
$114.03B
AVAV:
$8.32B
VRTX:
$16.87
AVAV:
-$4.63
VRTX:
9.34
AVAV:
6.94
VRTX:
4.31
AVAV:
1.95
VRTX:
$12.26B
AVAV:
$1.19B
VRTX:
$10.57B
AVAV:
$104.63M
VRTX:
$5.19B
AVAV:
-$242.06M
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
Return for Risk
VRTX vs. AVAV — Risk / Return Rank
VRTX
AVAV
VRTX vs. AVAV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) and AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV). 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.
| VRTX | AVAV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.04 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.23 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.02 | 1.04 | -0.02 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | -0.14 | -0.17 | +0.03 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | -0.29 | -0.30 | +0.01 |
Loading charts...
Drawdowns
VRTX vs. AVAV - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum VRTX drawdown since its inception was -91.77%, which is greater than AVAV's maximum drawdown of -61.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTX and AVAV.
Loading charts...
Drawdown Indicators
| VRTX | AVAV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -91.77% | -61.45% | -30.32% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -23.56% | -61.45% | +37.89% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -29.07% | -61.45% | +32.38% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -29.07% | -61.45% | +32.38% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -41.60% | -61.45% | +19.85% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -13.90% | -58.38% | +44.48% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -37.73% | -28.71% | -9.02% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 11.30% | 34.44% | -23.14% |
Volatility
VRTX vs. AVAV - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) is 7.47%, while AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) has a volatility of 26.86%. This indicates that VRTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AVAV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading charts...
Volatility by Period
| VRTX | AVAV | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.47% | 26.86% | -19.39% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 20.71% | 57.90% | -37.19% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 34.13% | 74.35% | -40.22% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 28.53% | 56.01% | -27.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 32.82% | 52.05% | -19.23% |
Dividends
VRTX vs. AVAV - Dividend Comparison
Neither VRTX nor AVAV has paid dividends to shareholders.
Financials
VRTX vs. AVAV - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated and AeroVironment, Inc.. 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
Frequently Asked Questions
VRTX and AVAV have a correlation of 0.02, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AVAV has higher volatility (26.86%) compared to VRTX (7.47%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRTX dropped -91.77% vs AVAV's -61.45%.
VRTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.10 vs -0.14), 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.
Find the right allocation for VRTX and AVAV
Add both to a portfolio and optimize allocations for your target — whether that's maximizing returns, minimizing drawdowns, or balancing risk across holdings.
Open Portfolio Optimizer