Compare Albemarle Corp. (ALB) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Albemarle Corp. vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? Albemarle Corp. trades at $127.5 (market cap $15.22B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $510.03 (market cap $132.55B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is far larger — about 8.7× Albemarle Corp.'s market cap, and Albemarle Corp. pays a 1.26% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALB | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $15.22B | $132.55B |
Sector | Basic Materials | Health |
52-Week High | $215.62 | $529.59 |
52-Week Low | $67.30 | $366.54 |
Enterprise Value | $18.24B | $127.29B |
Dividend Yield | 1.26% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Albemarle (ALB) is trading at $129.02, down 4.82% over the past 24 hours amid bearish technical signals. The stock shows mixed fundamentals with a low P/E of 5.12 and negative net income margin of -4.24% for 2025, though Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations. Recent news highlights a focus on debt reduction and energy storage system demand as lithium prices rebound. Cash flow improved in 2025 with net cash flow of $425.77 million, while the balance sheet reflects a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8%.
The outlook for ALB hinges on lithium price recovery and execution in energy storage markets. Analyst consensus is mixed with a $227.10 price target suggesting significant upside, but risks include volatile lithium markets and ongoing profitability challenges. The stock's current level near key support at $128 may attract value investors, though macroeconomic and commodity pressures remain headwinds.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $522.25, down 1.1% on the day but remains near its all-time high. The stock shows strong fundamentals with 35.5% net income margins and robust cash flow generation. Recent developments include a $10 billion acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals and FDA approval for expanded use of its gene therapy CASGEVY in younger patients. Technical indicators show bullish moving averages but overbought oscillators with RSI readings above 89.
The outlook remains positive with 84% analyst buy ratings and a consensus price target of $522. Key catalysts include the Crinetics acquisition's $5 billion peak sales potential and continued gene therapy expansion. Risks include integration challenges from the major acquisition and potential regulatory hurdles. The stock trades at premium valuations (P/E 31.4) but justifies this with strong profitability and growth prospects.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
Top news
Latest headlines on both assets
About Albemarle Corp.
Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer. Our outlook for robust lithium demand is predicated upon increased demand for electric vehicle batteries. Albemarle produces lithium from its salt brine deposits in Chile and the U.S. and its hard rock joint venture mines in Australia. Albemarle is also a global leader in the production of bromine, used in flame retardants. The company is also a major producer of oil refining catalysts.
Read more on ALB →About Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that discovers and develops small-molecule drugs for the treatment of serious diseases. Its key drugs are Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko, and Trikafta/Kaftrio for cystic fibrosis, where Vertex therapies remain the standard of care globally. In addition to its focus on cystic fibrosis, Vertex is diversifying its pipeline through gene-editing therapies such as CTX001 for beta-thalassemia and sickle-cell disease, small-molecule inhibitors targeting acute and chronic pain using non-opioid treatments, and small-molecule inhibitors of APOL1-mediated kidney diseases. Vertex is also investigating cell therapies to deliver a potential functional cure for type 1 diabetes.
Read more on VRTX →
