L3Harris Technologies Inc vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? L3Harris Technologies Inc trades at $280.35 (market cap $52.27B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $480.49 (market cap $121.95B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is far larger — about 2.3× L3Harris Technologies Inc's market cap, and L3Harris Technologies Inc pays a 1.78% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| LHX | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $52.27B | $121.95B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $378.48 | $529.59 |
52-Week Low | $263.09 | $366.54 |
Enterprise Value | $63.03B | $116.69B |
Dividend Yield | 1.78% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
LHX trades at $280.57, down 0.51% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. The company reported Q1 2026 EPS of $2.72, beating estimates, and maintains robust cash flow. Recent contracts include a U.S. Space Force satellite deal and U.S. Army radio orders, supporting growth. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 30.62 and P/S of 2.36, with revenue rising to $21.87B in 2025.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $367.50, implying 31% upside, driven by defense spending and execution. Risks include debt levels and geopolitical volatility. Analysts are 75% buy-rated, but technical indicators suggest near-term caution amid bearish moving averages.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $480.51, down 1.06% on the day, with a bullish technical signal driven by moving averages. The stock shows strong profitability with a 35.51% net income margin and robust cash flow, though it faces a recent earnings miss. A major $10 billion acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals aims to expand its endocrinology portfolio, adding potential for significant future revenue growth.
The outlook remains positive with an 85.71% analyst buy rating and a $538 consensus price target, implying 12% upside. Key risks include integration challenges from the acquisition and reliance on cystic fibrosis treatments. Earnings growth and successful pipeline execution are critical catalysts for sustained appreciation.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
L3Harris Technologies was created in 2019 from the merger of L3 Technologies and Harris, two defense contractors that provide products for the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) market. The firm also has smaller operations serving the civil government, particularly the Federal Aviation Administration's communication infrastructure, and produces various avionics for defense and commercial aviation.
Read more on LHX →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 →