L3Harris Technologies Inc vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated — how do they compare? L3Harris Technologies Inc trades at $284.52 (market cap $53.26B), while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated trades at $526.84 (market cap $134.25B). The key difference: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is far larger — about 2.5× L3Harris Technologies Inc's market cap, and L3Harris Technologies Inc pays a 1.75% dividend while Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| LHX | VRTX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $53.26B | $134.25B |
Sector | Industrials | Health |
52-Week High | $378.48 | $529.65 |
52-Week Low | $270.21 | $376.62 |
Enterprise Value | $63.71B | $128.37B |
Dividend Yield | 1.75% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
LHX trades at $289.72, up 1.06% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamental momentum. Recent earnings beats, including Q2 2026 EPS of $3.13 versus $2.80 expected, and a record $42 billion backlog support growth. The company completed a strategic divestiture and secured key defense contracts, enhancing its positioning in missile defense and space systems.
Outlook is positive with analyst consensus price target of $319.33 implying ~10% upside, though technical indicators signal near-term caution. Risks include execution on production ramp-ups and defense budget volatility, but robust cash flow and dividend payments provide shareholder stability.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) trades at $523.91, up 5.61% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving averages. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue growth of 12% to $3.3 billion, beating expectations despite an EPS miss, and raised its full-year 2026 revenue guidance. Valuation metrics show a P/E of 30.85 and P/S of 10.78, while maintaining robust profitability with 86% gross margins and 35% net income margins.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus strongly bullish (84% buy ratings) and a $534.25 price target. Key risks include execution on newer product launches and competitive pressures in cystic fibrosis treatments. The stock's current momentum suggests continued upside potential, though RSI levels indicate potential near-term overbought conditions.
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 →