Compare Alcon AG (ALC) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) Price & Performance
Price performance
Price movement over the last 24 hours
Key statistics
Key statistics
Alcon AG vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? Alcon AG trades at $66.64 (market cap $32.69B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $498.43 (market cap $132.55B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is far larger — about 4.1× Alcon AG's market cap, and Alcon AG pays a 0.54% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| ALC | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $32.69B | $132.55B |
Sector | Health | Health |
52-Week High | $92.22 | $529.59 |
52-Week Low | $62.02 | $366.54 |
Enterprise Value | $36.28B | $127.29B |
Dividend Yield | 0.54% | — |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
ALC trades at $66.87, down 4.01% on the day, amid a mixed technical and fundamental backdrop. The stock exhibits a bullish technical signal overall, with moving averages supporting a positive trend, while oscillators remain neutral. Fundamentally, revenue growth is steady, reaching $10.40 billion in 2025, though net income margin compressed to 7.7%. Recent news highlights product innovation, including a collaboration with RxSight for adjustable PCIOLs, signaling ongoing R&D investment. Analyst sentiment is predominantly positive, with a consensus price target of $86.00 implying significant upside.
The outlook for ALC is cautiously optimistic, driven by new product launches and strategic partnerships that may fuel growth. However, risks include competitive pressures, macroeconomic headwinds, and margin compression. With a P/E of 40.92, the valuation appears rich relative to historical norms, requiring strong earnings delivery to justify current levels. Investors should weigh robust analyst buy ratings against execution risks and market volatility.
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 Alcon AG
Alcon, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, is the global eyecare leader with a diverse portfolio in ophthalmology including contact lenses, eye drops, surgical equipment, and related surgical products. Novartis purchased Alcon from Nestle in 2010 and, following nine years as a Novartis subsidiary, the company was spun off as a public company in April 2019. The company reports five distinct segments: implantables (16% of revenue), consumables (31%), equipment (9%), contact lenses (27%), and ocular health (17%). The company is geographically diversified, with only about 40% of revenue from the U.S. market, and the firm has a strong presence in the European Union and Japan.
Read more on ALC →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 →
