Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) closed at $472.57 in the latest trading session, marking a -1.96% move from the prior day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.14% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a loss of 0.01%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.57%.

Shares of the drugmaker witnessed a gain of 2.9% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Medical sector with its gain of 5.8%, and outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.25%.

Market participants will be closely following the financial results of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in its upcoming release. The company plans to announce its earnings on August 3, 2026. On that day, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is projected to report earnings of $4.85 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 7.3%. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $3.23 billion, up 8.78% from the year-ago period.

In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $19.15 per share and a revenue of $13.06 billion, indicating changes of +4.08% and +8.83%, respectively, from the former year.

Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Vertex Pharmaceuticals should also be noted by investors. These recent revisions tend to reflect the evolving nature of short-term business trends. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.04% decrease. At present, Vertex Pharmaceuticals boasts a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

In terms of valuation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 25.17. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 19.23.

We can additionally observe that VRTX currently boasts a PEG ratio of 1.93. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. As of the close of trade yesterday, the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry held an average PEG ratio of 1.57.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 98, placing it within the top 40% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 22nd, 2026

ABN Amro Investment Solutions boosted its position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX – Free Report) by 257.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 68,216 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock after buying an additional 49,146 shares during the quarter. ABN Amro Investment Solutions’ holdings in Vertex Pharmaceuticals were worth $30,461,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 9.1% during the 4th quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 832,853 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $377,582,000 after buying an additional 69,150 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP lifted its holdings in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 414.1% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 14,036 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $6,363,000 after purchasing an additional 11,306 shares during the last quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 77.1% in the 1st quarter. Calamos Advisors LLC now owns 77,886 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $34,779,000 after purchasing an additional 33,917 shares during the last quarter. Sandro Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the fourth quarter worth $1,436,000. Finally, Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. lifted its stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 11.9% in the first quarter. Fideuram Intesa Sanpaolo Private Banking S.P.A. now owns 34,991 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $15,625,000 after buying an additional 3,710 shares during the last quarter. 90.96% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, EVP Joy Liu sold 1,104 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $425.02, for a total value of $469,222.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 20,729 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,810,239.58. This trade represents a 5.06% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Ourania Tatsis sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $524.99, for a total transaction of $787,485.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 45,321 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,793,071.79. This trade represents a 3.20% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders sold a total of 18,874 shares of company stock valued at $8,707,966 over the last 90 days. 0.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Stock Up 0.3% Shares of NASDAQ VRTX opened at $482.00 on Wednesday. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $464.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $459.39. The stock has a market capitalization of $122.33 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.59, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.29. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has a 52-week low of $362.50 and a 52-week high of $533.67.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 4th. The pharmaceutical company reported $4.47 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.24 by $0.23. Vertex Pharmaceuticals had a return on equity of 23.86% and a net margin of 35.51%.The business had revenue of $2.99 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $4.06 earnings per share. Vertex Pharmaceuticals’s revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated will post 17.01 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms have recently commented on VRTX. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $542.00 to $560.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $612.00 to $616.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their price objective on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $437.00 to $436.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 5th. UBS Group lifted their target price on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $545.00 to $585.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $607.00 to $615.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 6th. Twenty-two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $559.61.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on VRTX

About Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Free Report)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc is a Boston-based biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies for serious diseases. Founded in 1989, Vertex built its reputation on research-driven drug development and is best known for its work in cystic fibrosis (CF), where its portfolio of small-molecule CFTR modulators transformed standards of care for many people with the disease. The company operates research and development, manufacturing and commercial organizations and serves patients and healthcare systems in multiple international markets.

Vertex’s marketed products center on CFTR modulators that target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis rather than just treating symptoms.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Vertex Pharmaceuticals Confidence Is Back, But Earnings Show the Consumer Is Being Picky AeroVironment’s Stock Is Down, But Drone Demand Is Taking Off 3M’s Redemption Arc: Can Q2 Earnings Change the Narrative? 3 Photonics Companies Making Quantum Tech Possible Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VRTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX – Free Report).

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In the latest close session, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) was down 1.06% at $480.50. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.19%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.59%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.05%.

Shares of the drugmaker have appreciated by 7.53% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Medical sector's gain of 6.06%, and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

Investors will be eagerly watching for the performance of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to be unveiled on August 3, 2026. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $4.8, signifying a 6.19% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, the latest consensus estimate predicts the revenue to be $3.22 billion, indicating a 8.48% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $19.15 per share and a revenue of $13.06 billion, representing changes of +4.08% and +8.81%, respectively, from the prior year.

Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. Therefore, positive revisions in estimates convey analysts' confidence in the business performance and profit potential.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.04% fall in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Vertex Pharmaceuticals currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at valuation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 25.36. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 18.8.

Also, we should mention that VRTX has a PEG ratio of 1.87. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. VRTX's industry had an average PEG ratio of 1.56 as of yesterday's close.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 98, which puts it in the top 40% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Posted by Defense World Staff on Jul 20th, 2026

Boston Common Asset Management LLC grew its position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX – Free Report) by 7.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 17,205 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock after purchasing an additional 1,124 shares during the period. Boston Common Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Vertex Pharmaceuticals were worth $7,683,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC grew its stake in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 15.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 4,427 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $1,783,000 after acquiring an additional 579 shares in the last quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL bought a new stake in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the second quarter worth $228,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 9.0% during the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 11,929 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $5,311,000 after purchasing an additional 986 shares during the last quarter. ICW Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 5.0% during the second quarter. ICW Investment Advisors LLC now owns 604 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $269,000 after purchasing an additional 29 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Diversify Advisory Services LLC boosted its holdings in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 26.3% during the second quarter. Diversify Advisory Services LLC now owns 7,291 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock worth $3,246,000 after purchasing an additional 1,518 shares during the last quarter. 90.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes VRTX has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $543.00 to $570.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $612.00 to $616.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 5th. Canaccord Genuity Group decreased their price objective on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $437.00 to $436.00 and set a “hold” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $542.00 to $560.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $607.00 to $615.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Twenty-two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $559.61.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Price Performance VRTX stock opened at $485.65 on Monday. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $362.50 and a fifty-two week high of $533.67. The stock has a market capitalization of $123.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.80, a PEG ratio of 2.11 and a beta of 0.29. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $462.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $459.00.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX – Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 4th. The pharmaceutical company reported $4.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $4.24 by $0.23. Vertex Pharmaceuticals had a net margin of 35.51% and a return on equity of 23.86%. The company had revenue of $2.99 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.99 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $4.06 earnings per share. Vertex Pharmaceuticals’s quarterly revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated will post 17.01 EPS for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Duncan Mckechnie sold 1,541 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $519.00, for a total transaction of $799,779.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 11,001 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,709,519. This trade represents a 12.29% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Sangeeta N. Bhatia sold 318 shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $423.73, for a total transaction of $134,746.14. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 4,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,086,446.52. The trade was a 6.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 18,874 shares of company stock worth $8,707,966. 0.20% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Company Profile (Free Report)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc is a Boston-based biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapies for serious diseases. Founded in 1989, Vertex built its reputation on research-driven drug development and is best known for its work in cystic fibrosis (CF), where its portfolio of small-molecule CFTR modulators transformed standards of care for many people with the disease. The company operates research and development, manufacturing and commercial organizations and serves patients and healthcare systems in multiple international markets.

Vertex’s marketed products center on CFTR modulators that target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis rather than just treating symptoms.

Read More Five stocks we like better than Vertex Pharmaceuticals Strait of Hormuz Tensions Spike Tanker Trade: These 2 Stocks Are Set to Benefit Shopify’s Quiet AI Strategy Could Be Its Biggest Advantage Yet Why These 3 Nuclear ETFs Are Getting a Fresh Look as AI Power Demand Rises 3 Aerospace Suppliers That Could Benefit as Aircraft Makers Face Bottlenecks Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VRTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ:VRTX – Free Report).

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) has recently been on Zacks.com's list of the most searched stocks. Therefore, you might want to consider some of the key factors that could influence the stock's performance in the near future.

Shares of this drugmaker have returned +3.9% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.5% change. The Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, to which Vertex belongs, has gained 3.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

We essentially look at how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to reflect the impact of the latest business trends. And if earnings estimates go up for a company, the fair value for its stock goes up. A higher fair value than the current market price drives investors' interest in buying the stock, leading to its price moving higher. This is why empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Vertex is expected to post earnings of $4.80 per share, indicating a change of +6.2% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.1% over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $19.15 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +4.1%. This estimate has changed -0.1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $20.85 indicates a change of +8.9% from what Vertex is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -1.5%.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Vertex is rated Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Projected Revenue GrowthEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Vertex, the consensus sales estimate of $3.22 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +8.5%. The $13.06 billion and $14.34 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +8.8% and +9.9%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVertex reported revenues of $2.99 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.8%. EPS of $4.47 for the same period compares with $4.06 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.19%. The EPS surprise was +5.67%.

Over the last four quarters, Vertex surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Vertex is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vertex. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

The first five months of 2026 were rough on Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX 2.22%). The biotech's shares moved in the wrong direction through early June. However, the drugmaker has bounced back in style over the past month, with its stock gaining 10%. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is now up 9% this year and recently hit a fresh 52-week high. Is there more upside left for the stock? Let's find out.

Potential catalysts on the horizon Several recent developments explain why the market is increasingly excited about Vertex Pharmaceuticals' prospects. First, the company recently received a label expansion for Casgevy, a gene-editing medicine for sickle cell disease (SCD) and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia (TDT), two blood-related diseases. Casgevy is now indicated to treat patients as young as two who have TDT or SCD (it was previously approved for people 12 and older).

Image source: The Motley Fool.

This regulatory milestone adds 5,500 patients to Vertex's addressable market, but, even more importantly, it allows patients and their families to treat these diseases before they have had time to significantly impact their lives. Casgevy has not generated much revenue since its 2023 approval. This label expansion should help boost its sales. Second, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is awaiting approval for povetacicept, an investigational medicine for IgA nephropathy (IgAN), a kidney disease. U.S. regulators could give this therapy the green light by the end of November.

Povetacicept would be a key addition to Vertex's lineup. Given the more than 1.5 million IgAN patients worldwide and the medicine's potential approval across other indications, some analysts project it could reach peak sales of about $4.3 billion. Third, Vertex Pharmaceuticals has several other late-stage clinical trial candidates that could make good progress. For instance, the company is developing inaxaplin, a potential therapy for APOL-1-mediated kidney disease, and expects some data readouts later this year.

Lastly, Vertex Pharmaceuticals announced the acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX 0.05%), a biotech company focused on developing medicines for endocrine diseases, for $10 billion in cash. Vertex estimates that this buyout adds more than $5 billion in potential peak annual sales to its lineup. All these developments make Vertex Pharmaceuticals' medium-term prospects attractive.

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The core business is still going strong Vertex Pharmaceuticals remains the leader in its core therapeutic area: developing medicines for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This rare disease causes thick mucus to form in the lungs, disrupting the airways and leading to chronic infections. Vertex remains the only game in town. It markets the only drugs that treat the underlying causes of CF. Though the biotech has been dominating this area for a long time, business is still good. In the first quarter, Vertex Pharmaceuticals' revenue increased by 8% year over year to $2.99 billion. The company's adjusted earnings per share climbed 10% year over year to $4.47.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals still has a decent patient population to address as it expands into new territories and earns new label expansions, especially for younger patients. The company's core business should remain a growth driver over the next decade, as its most important products won't face patent cliffs until the late 2030s. Even though some pharmaceutical companies are developing competing therapies, all previous attempts have failed. Successes may come, eventually, but that's also why Vertex has diversified its lineup.

The company's newer non-CF approvals, including Casgevy and Journavx, a medicine for acute pain, should start meaningfully contributing to top-line growth within a couple of years. Vertex expects at least $500 million in non-CF revenue this year. That will represent less than 5% of its revenue, but with Casgevy gaining traction thanks to label expansions and Journavx meeting strong demand for non-opioid pain drugs, they should post solid sales growth over the next few years. So, Vertex Pharmaceuticals still has plenty of upside ahead, even though it recently hit a new 52-week high. Investors can safely hold this stock for the long term.

NEW YORK & NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Former Attorney General of Louisiana Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq. and the law firm of Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC (“KSF”) are investigating the proposed sale of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NasdaqGS: CRNX) to Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NasdaqGS: VRTX). Under the terms of the proposed transaction, shareholders of Crinetics will receive $85.00 in cash for each share of Crinetics that they own. KSF is seeking to determine whether this consideratio.

On CNBC’s Mad Dash segment on Monday, July 6, 2026, Jim Cramer made one of his most bullish biotech calls in years, arguing that the sector could be entering a new wave of mergers and acquisitions as the regulatory environment becomes more favorable for dealmaking.

“There is a move in biotech that we have not talked about at all that is really extraordinary, and particularly since the change at the head of the FDA,” Cramer said. “If you look at that chart, this is the group that’s the hottest group in the market.”

Cramer argued that takeover activity, which slowed under the previous administration after an Amgen acquisition nearly faced regulatory opposition, is poised to accelerate. Cramer noted that “we have now waited for so many companies because there have been so few takeovers under the previous administration because of an Amgen deal that was almost blocked,” and predicted that “these deals are going to be flooding the market according to my sources. And you want to be long biotech. I have not said that in ages.”

Why Eli Lilly Could Lead the Next Biotech Buying Spree Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY | LLY Price Prediction) is one of the primary acquirers driving biotech M&A activity, thanks to its strong cash flow. The numbers back that up. Lilly reported Q1 2026 revenue of $19.80 billion, up 55.5% year over year, with Mounjaro sales of $8.66 billion and Zepbound U.S. sales of $4.16 billion. Lilly also raised full-year revenue guidance to $82.0 billion to $85.0 billion.

CEO David Ricks told investors the company “continued investing in Lilly’s future growth through four acquisitions” in the quarter, snapping up Orna Therapeutics, Centessa Pharmaceuticals, Kelonia Therapeutics and Ajax Therapeutics.

Gilead Is Already Executing the Strategy Cramer Described Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ:GILD) is running the playbook Cramer described. It closed the $7.8 billion Arcellx acquisition for Anito-cel in multiple myeloma and signed deals for Ouro Medicines ($1.675 billion upfront plus up to $500 million in milestones) and Tubulis.

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CEO Daniel O’Day said Gilead is “adding potentially best-in-disease assets and platforms in oncology and inflammation.” The company expects roughly $11.5 billion in acquired IPR&D charges, which pushed non-GAAP EPS guidance to a loss of $(1.05) to $(0.65).

Amgen: The Deal That Changed the Biotech M&A Landscape Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) posted Q1 2026 revenue of $8.62 billion, with 16 brands growing double digits, including IMDELLTRA at +219%. Its obesity candidate MariTide is advancing in multiple Phase 3 studies, keeping Amgen relevant in the category Lilly currently dominates.

Vertex and Regeneron: Confirmed-Data Franchises Cramer’s M&A logic focuses on companies close to or already holding confirmed drug data that command inflated acquisition prices. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) fits that mold. CASGEVY and JOURNAVX drove more than 25% of quarterly growth, and Vertex completed its rolling BLA submission for povetacicept in IgA nephropathy, opening a fourth franchise.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:REGN) is playing offense with capital returns, authorizing a new $3.0 billion share repurchase after buying back $803 million in Q1 2026. Dupixent global sales hit $4.88 billion, up 33%, even as EYLEA faces biosimilar pressure.

The Biotech Catalysts That Could Spark More Takeovers Cramer’s thesis on biotech is that a friendlier regulatory backdrop could reopen the biotech acquisition market after years of subdued dealmaking. Companies with strong balance sheets, such as Eli Lilly and Gilead, are already actively acquiring promising drug developers, while mid-cap biotech firms with attractive late-stage assets could become the next takeover targets. If that trend continues, investors may begin valuing biotech companies for both their growth prospects and potential acquisition capabilities.

Act now: the analyst who called NVIDIA in 2010 just named his top 10 AI stocks — and Eli Lilly didn't make the cut. Grab the names FREE today.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

July 7, 2026 Monday's MarketsS&P 500
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Source: Image created by Jester AI.

1. Vertex Buys Crinetics for Rare Disease Push Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX +0.27%) is acquiring Crinetics Pharmaceuticals (CRNX 0.47%) for $10 billion, expanding beyond cystic fibrosis therapies and into endocrine diseases. The move could add up to $5 billion in annual revenue over the long term, although traders with a shorter-term focus pushed the stock down around 2% ahead of the market open.

"Crinetics is an excellent strategic fit for Vertex, with its focus on serious diseases in specialty markets with significant unmet need": Reshma Kewalramani, CEO and president of Vertex, praised the deal, while Crinetics founder and CEO Scott Struthers referred to it as a historic milestone. It's expected to contribute to Vertex's revenue immediately via the ongoing launch of the Palsonify medicine. Purchase helps to back up double-digit revenue growth ambitions: The growing need for therapeutics around endocrine diseases provides a clear runway for Vertex to scale in the coming years with Crinetics in the portfolio. Also recommended in Rule Breakers, the stock is outperforming the S&P 500 by 45% since the February 2022 Stock Advisor rec. 2. Synopsys Cuts Fab Tools for AI Focus Reuters reports Synopsys (SNPS +1.17%) is planning to stop offering some software used by semiconductor companies, instead looking to focus on other AI offerings carrying higher profit margins.

Pivot highlights the changing balance in the semiconductor software space: Chipmakers are increasingly building manufacturing software in-house, while vendors like Synopsys are targeting lucrative AI design technologies more. "The best is yet to come": Back in February, Fool analyst Yasser El-Shimy was upbeat about the outlook for this year following quarterly results, saying "in an AI world driving ever-complex chip designs, Synopsys' tools are essential." The stock is recommended by both Team Rule Breakers and Team Hidden Gems.

3. Bank ETF Hits Record High as Earnings Loom

U.S. banking stocks continue to outperform, with the Invesco KBW Bank ETF (KBWB +1.92%) reaching a new high yesterday, as the outlook for higher interest rates and strong earnings expectations aids traction.

Banking boom helping other companies: Bank of America (BAC +1.80%) rallied 2% to close at record highs, a move that benefits Berkshire Hathaway (BRKB 0.26%) since it is the largest shareholder aside from two index-fund investors. Optimism heading into earnings season next week: Most major U.S. banks are set to report Q2 earnings imminently, with Goldman Sachs (GS +3.36%), Morgan Stanley (MS +3.73%), and Bank of America all due to deliver double-digit revenue growth versus the same period last year.

4. Meta Slams Trillion-Dollar Lawsuit

Meta (META +3.12%) has revealed a $1.4 trillion potential penalty from the trial relating to allegedly violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. It is being targeted by several U.S. states in court, with proceedings due to start next month.

"A sanction of that size has no analog in the history of consumer protection enforcement": Meta flagged the staggering compensation amount, which is close to the current market cap of the company. It strongly denies all allegations. Big Tech facing thousands of lawsuits in both federal and state courts: The precedent on this case will be watched by many other social media platforms, due to extensive claims around child protection and social media addiction complaints. 5. Today's Take: Borrowed Thinking, Better Investing

Some of my favorite investing maxims come from the world of sports. Listen to coaches and players – in any sport – and they'll tell you that results can vary but performance is controllable. Never confuse results with performance, Fool.-- Tim Beyers Team Rule Breakers

6. Your Take What investment principle took you the longest to learn, but has been incredibly valuable?

Discuss with friends and family, or become a member to hear what your fellow Fools are saying!

This image and article was created using Large Language Models (LLMs) based on The Motley Fool's insights and investing approach. It has been reviewed by our AI quality control systems. Since LLMs cannot (currently) own stocks, it has no positions in any of the stocks mentioned. Bank of America is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Berkshire Hathaway, Goldman Sachs Group, Meta Platforms, Synopsys, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) M&A Call July 6, 2026 4:30 PM EDT

Company Participants

Susie Lisa - Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
Reshma Kewalramani - CEO, President & Director
Duncan J. McKechnie - Chief Commercial Officer, Head of North America Commercial & Executive VP
Charles Wagner - Executive VP, COO & CFO

Conference Call Participants

Jessica Fye - JPMorgan Chase & Co, Research Division
Salveen Richter - Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Research Division
Mario Joshua Chazaro Cortes - Evercore ISI Institutional Equities, Research Division
Andy Chen - Wolfe Research, LLC
Jarwei Fang - Citigroup Inc., Research Division
Evan Seigerman - BMO Capital Markets Equity Research
Michael Yee - UBS Investment Bank, Research Division
Nevin Varghese - RBC Capital Markets, Research Division
Philip Nadeau - TD Cowen, Research Division
Tazeen Ahmad - BofA Securities, Research Division
Brian Skorney - Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division
Jasmine Fels - Barclays Bank PLC, Research Division
Carter Gould - Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Research Division

Presentation

Operator

Good day, and welcome to the Vertex Pharmaceuticals conference call to announce the acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals.

[Operator Instructions]

Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Ms. Susie Lisa. Please go ahead.

Susie Lisa
Senior Vice President of Investor Relations

Thanks, Chuck. Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for joining us on short notice for this exciting announcement. I'm Susie Lisa, and as Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, it's my pleasure to welcome you to this conference call to discuss Vertex's acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals.

Making prepared remarks on today's call, we have Dr. Reshma Kewalramani, Vertex's CEO and President; Duncan McKechnie, Chief Commercial Officer; and Charlie Wagner, Chief Operating and Financial Officer. We recommend that you access the webcast slides as you listen to this call. The call is being recorded, and a replay will be available on our website. We will make forward-looking statements on

No stock has generated more buzz in recent weeks than Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX +2.69%), more commonly known as SpaceX. That's understandable, considering the space technology and artificial intelligence (AI) innovator conducted the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history.

But buzz doesn't always translate to great returns (as many who bought SpaceX shares after its post-IPO surge are finding out). While SpaceX gets the headlines, some smart investors are loading up on another stock instead -- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX +6.13%).

Image source: Getty Images.

Greater market dominance than SpaceX One key reason investors have been attracted to SpaceX is its commanding position in the satellite internet services and rocket launch markets. However, Vertex arguably has greater market dominance in its core arena than SpaceX.

Only five therapies have been approved for addressing the underlying genetic cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare genetic disease that affects an estimated 105,000 people worldwide. Vertex markets all of them, giving the drugmaker a virtual monopoly in the CF indication.

SpaceX will soon have a formidable competitor to its lucrative Starlink business from Amazon (AMZN +0.55%) Leo. Meanwhile, Vertex has little to worry about from challengers at this point. The most advanced experimental therapies that even have a shot at challenging Vertex's blockbuster CF franchise are only in Phase 2 clinical testing. No patent cliff is in sight that would open the door to serious generic threats, either. Vertex's key U.S. and European patents for its most powerful CF drug, Alyftrek, don't expire until 2039.

Today's Change

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CF isn't Vertex's only area of focus. The company has two other products gaining market momentum -- CRISPR gene-editing therapy Casgevy and non-opioid pain medication Journavx. These two therapies together generated roughly 25% of Vertex's product revenue growth in its latest quarter.

Importantly, Vertex's market dominance is much more profitable than SpaceX's. The big biotech company posted adjusted earnings of $4.7 billion last year, compared with SpaceX's net loss of $4.9 billion.

Transformative launches potentially on the way SpaceX completed 167 launches last year with its Falcon 9 rockets and Starship reusable spacecraft. However, Vertex has some potential launches of a different sort on the way that could be transformative.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is scheduled to make an approval decision for povetacicept in the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) by Nov. 30, 2026. IgAN affects around three times more patients in the U.S. and Europe alone than CF does worldwide. Vertex is also evaluating povetacicept in Phase 2 studies targeting primary membranous nephropathy and generalized myasthenia gravis, which together affect around three times as many patients in the U.S. and Europe as CF does worldwide.

Patient dosing in a late-stage study evaluating zimislecel in treating severe Type 1 Diabetes has resumed after a temporary delay while Vertex performed a manufacturing analysis. It seems likely that the company will file for global regulatory approvals of the therapy next year, assuming the Phase 3 results are positive.

Two other launches could be around the corner as well. Vertex expects to complete patient enrollment in two Phase 3 studies of suzetrigine (Journavx) in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) by the end of this year. Eventual approval in treating DPN would open up an additional patient population of around 2.5 million for Journavx.

And that's not all. Vertex's pipeline features another late-stage candidate, inaxaplin, which targets APOL1-mediated kidney disease (AMKD). This disease affects around 250,000 people, and there aren't any approved treatments for it.

Risks vs. rewards Every investment comes with potential risks and rewards. Vertex's approved products and promising pipeline offer clear rewards over the next few years. However, the company faces several risks, notably the possibility of regulatory setbacks and clinical failures.

But many investors could reasonably conclude that Vertex's overall risk-reward proposition is more appealing than SpaceX's. That's especially true given each stock's valuation. SpaceX's shares trade at a whopping 56.7 times projected 2026 sales. Vertex's forward price-to-sales multiple is around 10x.

Investing in SpaceX is tantamount to placing a bet on a future that hasn't arrived yet, with that future already baked into the space stock's valuation. Buying Vertex Pharmaceuticals, on the other hand, is more like betting on a future supported by prior clinical results that inspire confidence, with a share price that reflects some uncertainty. The latter seems like the smarter wager.

2.7.2026 22:18

Index Dow Jones +1,14 % na 52899,42 b. S&P 500 -0,01 % na 7482,7 b. Nasdaq Composite -0,8 % na 25832,67 b.

Ve čtvrteční seanci se index Dow Jones udržel v kladných úrovních a připsal si zisk 1,14%, ale širší index S&P 500  neudržel zisk ze začátku obchodování, ale nakonec ztráty korigoval ke konci obchodního dne  a uzavřel -0,01%. Citelněji oslabil technologický sektor, kde index Nasdaq Composite si odepsal -0,8%.  Dolar na páru s eurempo reportu Změny pracovních míst silněji oslabil o -0,44% tj. 1,1427 USD/EUR. Lehká ropa WTI i přes oslabující dolar pokračovala v poklesu a dnes si odepsala -0,2% a dostala se k úrovni 68,5 USD/barel. Oslabující dolar dnes vyhovoval žlutému kovu, který zpevnil o 1,2% a zlato se tak dostalo k úrovni 4 132 USD/Troy. unci. Na celkovém poklesu indexu  S&P 500 měl dnes největší zásluhu sektor Informační technologie se ztrátou -1,5%, dále Komunikační služby  -0,8% a se stejným výsledkem Zbytná spotřeba -0,8%. Naopak většímu poklesu indexu byl dnes největší brzdou sektor Zdravotní péče se ziskem 2,6%, dále Nezbytná spotřeba 2,4% a také Utility 2,3%. 

Index S&P 500 -0,01 % na 7482,7 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Zdravotní péče +2,6 % Informační technologie -1,5 % Nezbytná spotřeba +2,4 % Komunikační služby -0,8 % Utility +2,3 % Zbytná spotřeba -0,8 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Genuine Parts (GPC) +13 % Sandisk Corp (SNDK) -14 % Moderna (MRNA) +10 % Teradyne (TER) -14 % Honeywell Aerospace (HONA) +8,7 % KLA Corp (KLAC) -12 % Equifax (EFX) +6,1 % Flex (FLEX) -11 % Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) +6,0 % Corning (GLW) -11 %
Luboš Bedrník
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) ended the recent trading session at $491.34, demonstrating a +2.32% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock's change was more than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.05%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.09%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.24%.

Shares of the drugmaker witnessed a gain of 7.19% over the previous month, beating the performance of the Medical sector with its gain of 4.42%, and the S&P 500's loss of 1.42%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in its forthcoming earnings report. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $4.79, signifying a 5.97% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $3.22 billion, reflecting a 8.46% rise from the equivalent quarter last year.

Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $19.15 per share and revenue of $13.03 billion. These totals would mark changes of +4.08% and +8.57%, respectively, from last year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.

Empirical research indicates that these revisions in estimates have a direct correlation with impending stock price performance. To utilize this, we have created the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model that integrates these estimate changes and provides a functional rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 0.12% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. Vertex Pharmaceuticals currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

With respect to valuation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 25.08. This denotes a premium relative to the industry average Forward P/E of 21.83.

Meanwhile, VRTX's PEG ratio is currently 1.83. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. As the market closed yesterday, the Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.61.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 150, placing it within the bottom 39% of over 250 industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Over the past month, shares of this drugmaker have returned +4.3%, compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.6% change. During this period, the Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, which Vertex falls in, has gained 0.9%. The key question now is: What could be the stock's future direction?

While media releases or rumors about a substantial change in a company's business prospects usually make its stock 'trending' and lead to an immediate price change, there are always some fundamental facts that eventually dominate the buy-and-hold decision-making.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsHere at Zacks, we prioritize appraising the change in the projection of a company's future earnings over anything else. That's because we believe the present value of its future stream of earnings is what determines the fair value for its stock.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Vertex is expected to post earnings of $4.79 per share, indicating a change of +6% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed -0.2% over the last 30 days.

For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $19.15 points to a change of +4.1% from the prior year. Over the last 30 days, this estimate has changed +0.1%.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $21.19 indicates a change of +10.7% from what Vertex is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.4%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Vertex.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastWhile earnings growth is arguably the most superior indicator of a company's financial health, nothing happens as such if a business isn't able to grow its revenues. After all, it's nearly impossible for a company to increase its earnings for an extended period without increasing its revenues. So, it's important to know a company's potential revenue growth.

For Vertex, the consensus sales estimate for the current quarter of $3.22 billion indicates a year-over-year change of +8.5%. For the current and next fiscal years, $13.03 billion and $14.28 billion estimates indicate +8.6% and +9.6% changes, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVertex reported revenues of $2.99 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.8%. EPS of $4.47 for the same period compares with $4.06 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.19%. The EPS surprise was +5.67%.

Over the last four quarters, Vertex surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

The Zacks Value Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which pays close attention to both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics to grade stocks from A to F (an A is better than a B; a B is better than a C; and so on), is pretty helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Vertex is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vertex. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

In the latest trading session, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) closed at $451.63, marking a -1.6% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.09%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.14%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 1.91%.

The drugmaker's stock has climbed by 6.63% in the past month, exceeding the Medical sector's gain of 3.16% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.29%.

The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Vertex Pharmaceuticals to post earnings of $4.79 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 5.97%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $3.22 billion, up 8.46% from the prior-year quarter.

For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $19.15 per share and a revenue of $13.03 billion, representing changes of +4.08% and +8.57%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors should also pay attention to any latest changes in analyst estimates for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.12% upward. Currently, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is carrying a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

Looking at its valuation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is holding a Forward P/E ratio of 23.97. Its industry sports an average Forward P/E of 21.08, so one might conclude that Vertex Pharmaceuticals is trading at a premium comparatively.

Also, we should mention that VRTX has a PEG ratio of 1.74. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. Medical - Biomedical and Genetics stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 1.48 based on yesterday's closing prices.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 153, putting it in the bottom 38% of all 250+ industries.

The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Be sure to use Zacks.com to monitor all these stock-influencing metrics, and more, throughout the forthcoming trading sessions.

Key Takeaways Vertex posted $2.99 billion in Q1 sales, up 8%, driven by CF drugs and newer products Alyftrek and JournavxVRTX's Alyftrek reached $424.4 million in Q1 sales and topped $1 billion in cumulative global revenues.Vertex expects more than $500 million in 2026 non-CF revenues as Journavx and Casgevy expand access. Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated’s (VRTX - Free Report) first-quarter 2026 results were decent as it beat estimates for earnings and sales.

The company’s total revenues of $2.99 billion rose 8% year over year, driven by higher sales of cystic fibrosis (CF) drugs Trikafta/Kaftrio and Alyftrek, as well as meaningful contributions from new non-CF products, Journavx and Casgevy.  Vertex reiterated its full-year 2026 revenue guidance in the range of $12.95-$13.10 billion for 2026.

Investor focus was on the performance of Vertex’s newer drugs, Alyftrek, Journavx and Casgevy, which were launched in the past couple of years and hold the key to long-term growth.

Alyftrek is a once-a-day oral triple combination regimen for CF. Journavx is a novel non-opioid pain medicine (suzetrigine) and Vertex and partner CRISPR Therapeutics’ (CRSP - Free Report) Casgevy is a one-shot gene therapy approved for two blood disorders, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

Year to date, shares of Vertex have declined 6.3% compared with the industry’s decrease of 0.2%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Let’s dig deeper to understand how these new products performed in the first quarter and the company’s outlook for the same through the rest of the year.

VRTX’s Alyftrek Tops $1B Global Sales as Launch Gains PaceAlyftrek continues to outperform expectations and generated sales worth $424.4 million in the first quarter compared with $380.1 million in the fourth quarter. The rollout of Alyftrek in the United States and Europe is progressing well across all patient groups. The drug has now surpassed $1 billion in cumulative global revenues since its approval in the United States in late 2024 and in the EU in July 2025. Alyftrek’s once-daily dosing and improved sweat chloride profile continue to resonate with patients and doctors.

VRTX’s Casgevy, Journavx Contribute 25% of Revenue GrowthIn the first quarter, products from Vertex’s new non-CF disease areas, namely Casgevy and Journavx, drove approximately 25% of total product revenue growth, which was encouraging as Vertex’s dependence on just the CF franchise for revenues has been a growing concern. CF sales are also slightly slowing down.

Journavx (suzetrigine) generated $29 million in sales in the first quarter compared with $26.7 million in the fourth quarter.  Prescription growth remains strong, although first-quarter revenues reflected some normal inventory destocking.

More than 350,000 prescriptions were written for Journavx across both hospital and retail settings in the quarter compared to approximately 550,000 in all of 2025, showing that uptake is accelerating. In 2026, Vertex expects Journavx prescriptions to triple compared to 550,000 written in 2025, supported by a larger commercial field force, wider payer coverage, and improving gross-to-net economics.

Journavx’s reimbursement trends are also improving. Coverage has expanded to about 240 million lives, supported by agreements with the three largest commercial pharmacy benefit managers. The company also secured its first major Medicare Part D coverage agreement, effective May 1. Discussions are continuing with the remaining major Medicare plans and regional payers, which could further expand access.

Vertex and partner CRISPR’s one-shot gene therapy, Casgevy’s sales were $42.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, down from $54.3 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025 due to quarter-to-quarter variability in Casgevy infusions.

Nonetheless, the launch of Casgevy is gaining traction across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, with more than 500 patients having started treatment since launch, hundreds completing initial cell collection, and many already reaching the stage where edited cells are ready for infusion.

Vertex is also making rapid progress in the drug’s access and reimbursement and secured a pricing agreement for Casgevy in Germany in the first quarter.

In 2026, Vertex expects continued quarter-to-quarter variability in Casgevy infusions, which the company expects will smooth out in 2027 and beyond.

While Alyftrek will be the key driver of Vertex’s total revenues in 2026, with Journavx and Casgevy gaining traction, Vertex is steadily broadening its growth base beyond CF. The company expects non-CF products to generate revenues of $500 million plus in 2026, representing year-over-year growth of around 185%, driven by growing Casgevy infusions and a meaningful ramp in Journavx prescriptions and revenues.

VRTX’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to ConsiderVertex currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the biotech sector are Agenus (AGEN - Free Report) and Amarin (AMRN - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Agenus’ shares have risen 29.2% in the past year. Estimates for its 2026 earnings per share have increased from 54 cents to $1.30 over the past 60 days. Loss estimates for 2027 have narrowed from $1.91 per share to $1.52 per share.

Agenus’ earnings beat estimates in two of the trailing four quarters while missing in the other two, with the average surprise being 31.42%.

In the past 60 days, estimates for Amarin’s loss per share have narrowed from $7.01 to $6.36 for 2026. During the same time, loss per share estimates for 2027 have narrowed from $5.50 to $4.64. In the past year, shares of AMRN have gained 42%.

Amarin’s earnings beat estimates in three of the trailing four quarters while missing in one, the average surprise being 50.02%.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) Presents at RBC Capital Markets Global Healthcare Conference 2026 Transcript

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) Presents at Bernstein 42nd Annual Strategic Decisions Conference Transcript

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) has been one of the most searched-for stocks on Zacks.com lately. So, you might want to look at some of the facts that could shape the stock's performance in the near term.

Shares of this drugmaker have returned +5.6% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +6.3% change. The Zacks Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry, to which Vertex belongs, has gained 2.9% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Revisions to Earnings EstimatesRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

Vertex is expected to post earnings of $4.74 per share for the current quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +4.9%. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate has changed +0.5%.

The consensus earnings estimate of $19.13 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of +4%. This estimate has changed +1% over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $21.17 indicates a change of +10.7% from what Vertex is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has changed -0.5%.

With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool -- the Zacks Rank -- is a more conclusive indicator of a stock's near-term price performance, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for Vertex.

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Vertex, the consensus sales estimate of $3.2 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of +8%. The $13.03 billion and $14.28 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of +8.6% and +9.6%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryVertex reported revenues of $2.99 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of +7.8%. EPS of $4.47 for the same period compares with $4.06 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +0.19%. The EPS surprise was +5.67%.

Over the last four quarters, Vertex surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates each time over this period.

ValuationNo investment decision can be efficient without considering a stock's valuation. Whether a stock's current price rightly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects is an essential determinant of its future price performance.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Vertex is graded C on this front, indicating that it is trading at par with its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

ConclusionThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Vertex. However, its Zacks Rank #3 does suggest that it may perform in line with the broader market in the near term.

It has been about a month since the last earnings report for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) . Shares have added about 0.2% in that time frame, underperforming the S&P 500.

Will the recent positive trend continue leading up to its next earnings release, or is Vertex due for a pullback? Well, first let's take a quick look at the most recent earnings report in order to get a better handle on the recent catalysts for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated before we dive into how investors and analysts have reacted as of late.

Q1 Earnings & Revenues BeatVertex’s reported adjusted earnings of $4.47 per share for the first quarter of 2026, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.23. Earnings rose around 10.1% year over year on higher product revenues, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

First-quarter total revenues of $2.99 billion slightly beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.98 billion. Total revenues rose 8% year over year, primarily driven by higher sales of CF drugs and meaningful contributions from new non-CF products, Journavx and Casgevy.

Its total revenues rose 7% year over year in the United States to $1.78 billion, driven by strong demand for CF drugs, higher realized net prices in CF and Casgevy and Journavx sales. Outside the U.S. market, sales increased 9% to $1.21 billion, driven by strong CF growth, contribution from Casgevy and a favorable impact from foreign exchange.

Quarter in DetailThe company currently markets four CF products — Trikafta/Kaftrio, Symdeko (marketed as Symkevi in Europe), Orkambi and Kalydeco.

Trikafta generated sales worth $2.35 billion, down 7.5% year over year. The product’s sales missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.39 billion.

Alyftrek generated sales worth $424.4 million in the first quarter compared with $380.1 million in the fourth quarter. Alyftrek sales beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $408 million. The drug has now surpassed $1 billion in cumulative global revenue since its approval.

Vertex said that the U.S. and European launch of Alyftrek is progressing well. Outside the United States, the company signed reimbursement agreements for Alyftrek in 11 countries during the first quarter alone

Revenues from other CF products (including Kalydeco, Orkambi, and Symdeko/Symkevi) decreased 12.5% year over year to $135.9 million.

Vertex expects incremental patients from the label expansions for Alyftrek and Trikafta, along with launches of Alyftrek in additional geographies and for treating younger patients to drive CF growth through the rest of the year.

In the first quarter, products from Vertex’s new non-CF disease areas, namely Casgevy and Journavx, drove approximately 25% of total product revenue growth.

Casgevy’s sales were $42.9 million in the first quarter of 2026, down from $54.3 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025 due to quarter-to-quarter variability in Casgevy infusions.

Nonetheless, the launch of Casgevy is gaining traction across the United States, Europe and the Middle East, with more than 500 patients having started treatment since launch, hundreds completing initial cell collection, and many already reaching the stage where edited cells are ready for infusion.

Vertex is also making rapid progress in the drug’s access and reimbursement and secured a pricing agreement for Casgevy in Germany in the first quarter.

In 2026, Vertex expects continued quarter-to-quarter variability in Casgevy infusions, which the company expects will smooth out in 2027 and beyond.

Journavx (suzetrigine) generated $29 million in sales in the first quarter compared with $26.7 million in the fourth quarter. Prescription growth remains strong, although first-quarter revenues reflected some normal inventory destocking.

More than 350,000 prescriptions were written for Journavx across both hospital and retail settings in the quarter, compared with approximately 550,000 in all of 2025, showing that uptake is accelerating. In 2026, Vertex expects Journavx prescriptions to triple compared to 550,000 written in 2025, supported by a larger commercial field force, wider payer coverage, and improving gross-to-net economics.

Journavx’s reimbursement trends are also improving. Coverage has expanded to about 240 million lives, supported by agreements with all three national commercial pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The company secured its first Medicare Part D coverage agreement with a major PBM, effective May 1. Discussions are continuing with the remaining major Medicare plans and regional payers, which could further expand access. Twenty-two states now provide coverage for Journavx via Medicaid.

Costs RiseAdjusted research and development (R&D) expenses declined 2.2% year over year to $859.3 million due to the timing and mix of certain clinical trial expenses.

Adjusted selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose 29.8% to $432.2 million in the reported quarter, primarily to support the launch of Journavx and the upcoming launches in renal.

During the quarter, Vertex recorded acquired in-process research and development (AIPR&D) costs of $0.5 million compared with $19.8 million in the year-ago quarter.

Adjusted operating income rose 11% year over year to $1.31 billion in the quarter.

VRTX's 2026 GuidanceVertex reiterated its full-year 2026 guidance that it had provided earlier this year.

The company continues to expect total revenues to be in the range of $12.95-$13.10 billion for 2026, reflecting 8% to 9% growth versus the prior year.

In addition to continued growth in CF, Vertex expects non-CF products to generate revenues of $500 million plus in 2026, representing year-over-year growth of around 185%, driven by growing Casgevy infusions and a meaningful ramp in Journavx prescriptions and revenues.

Combined adjusted R&D, AIPR&D and SG&A expense guidance for 2026 is in the band of $5.65-$5.75 billion. The adjusted tax rate is expected to be in the range of 19.5%-20.5%.

How Have Estimates Been Moving Since Then?Since the earnings release, investors have witnessed a upward trend in estimates review.

VGM ScoresAt this time, Vertex has a average Growth Score of C, however its Momentum Score is doing a bit better with a B. Charting a somewhat similar path, the stock was allocated a grade of C on the value side, putting it in the middle 20% for value investors.

Overall, the stock has an aggregate VGM Score of C. If you aren't focused on one strategy, this score is the one you should be interested in.

OutlookEstimates have been broadly trending upward for the stock, and the magnitude of these revisions looks promising. Interestingly, Vertex has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We expect an in-line return from the stock in the next few months.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) Presents at Goldman Sachs 47th Annual Global Healthcare Conference 2026 Transcript

- Data from pivotal studies of CASGEVY in children ages 5–11 with severe sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia demonstrate transformative potential in younger patients, consistent with the durable benefits established in patients 12 years and older -

- Data simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine -

- Regulatory review underway in the United States to expand the use of CASGEVY, and Vertex has recently completed submissions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom -

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced data demonstrating the clinical benefits of CASGEVY® (exagamglogene autotemcel) in people ages 5 years and older living with severe sickle cell disease (SCD) or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia (TDT). The results, from pivotal studies in children ages 5–11, show that the efficacy and safety outcomes in this age group are consistent with the transformative profile established in adult and adolescent patients. These data were presented at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Congress and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

“The data presented at EHA and published in NEJM underscore the consistent, durable and transformative benefits CASGEVY can provide to people living with sickle cell disease or transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia from early in life,” said Carmen Bozic, M.D., Executive Vice President, Global Medicines Development and Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex.

“Despite optimized supportive therapy, children living with sickle cell disease and transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia carry a significant disease burden from a very young age, with progressive complications leading to the irreversible and life-shortening consequences of these diseases,” said Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Pediatrics at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome, Director of the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, Chair of Vertex’s TDT Program Steering Committee, and presenting author of the 5–11 years old CASGEVY data at EHA. “These data represent a profoundly important step forward, and I look forward to the possibility of providing earlier intervention to prevent complications in children and for families who have had limited potentially curative options to date.”

CASGEVY clinical data for children ages 5–11 presented at EHA and published in NEJM

Data from an interim analysis of the CLIMB-151 and CLIMB-141 studies highlight the transformative potential CASGEVY can provide to children ages 5–11 and are consistent with the durable clinical profile established in adult and adolescent patients. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential benefits of addressing vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and transfusion burden earlier in life, which can begin in childhood and are associated with cumulative, long-term complications in SCD and TDT including organ damage.

In the Phase 3 CLIMB-151 clinical study of children with severe SCD, all 11 patients dosed are free from VOCs and all 8 out of 8 (100%) patients with sufficient follow-up achieved the primary endpoint of being free from VOCs for at least 12 consecutive months (VF12). Of children achieving VF12, the mean (min, max) duration VOC-free was 19.0 (13.2, 30.1) months. In the Phase 3 CLIMB-141 clinical study of children with TDT, 15 patients have been dosed with CASGEVY, and all 8 out of 8 (100%) patients with sufficient follow-up achieved the primary endpoint of transfusion independence for at least 12 consecutive months while maintaining a weighted average hemoglobin of at least 9 g/dL (TI12). All children who achieved TI12 remained so throughout the follow-up; the mean (min, max) duration transfusion independence was 23.4 (13.3, 28.5) months. The safety profile of CASGEVY in younger patients is consistent with myeloablative conditioning and autologous transplant, as established in clinical studies in older patients with SCD and TDT. As previously disclosed, there was one death, not related to CASGEVY, in a child with TDT who developed severe veno-occlusive disease from busulfan conditioning. Consistent with studies in older patients, children with severe SCD and TDT treated with CASGEVY have durable and clinically relevant increases in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and stable allelic editing. Global regulatory submissions to expand use of CASGEVY

CASGEVY is currently approved for eligible people 12 years and older with SCD with recurrent VOCs or TDT in several countries around the world. In the United States the regulatory review is underway with the FDA to expand the use of CASGEVY to younger children after Vertex was awarded the Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher. Vertex has also recently completed regulatory submissions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom to expand the use of CASGEVY to younger children. Upon availability, there is an established network of activated authorized treatment centers in these countries prepared to support patients.

The use of CASGEVY in children ages 5–11 years is investigational.

About Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a rare serious, inherited blood disease that is progressive and life‑shortening. The disease causes red blood cells to become rigid and misshapen, restricting blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs. Recurrent vaso‑occlusive crises (VOCs), unpredictable episodes of severe pain caused by blocked blood vessels, are a defining feature of SCD and frequently require hospitalization. Many patients experience these complications early in life, and over time, repeated VOCs and chronic anemia lead to progressive and irreversible organ damage, including damage to the brain, lungs, kidneys and heart. SCD places a substantial burden on patients and their families, who must manage frequent medical visits, hospitalizations, school and work disruptions, and the emotional toll of chronic pain and life‑threatening complications. Despite lifelong treatment, people with SCD and recurrent VOCs in Europe face shortened life expectancy, with a mean age of death of around 40 years, and report quality‑of‑life outcomes far below the general population.

About Transfusion‑Dependent Beta Thalassemia (TDT)

Transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia (TDT) is a rare serious, inherited blood disease that is progressive and life‑shortening. The disease impairs the body’s ability to produce sufficient hemoglobin, limiting oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. People with TDT do not have enough functional hemoglobin in their red blood cells and require regular, lifelong blood transfusions, often beginning early in childhood, along with ongoing iron chelation therapy. While transfusions are necessary for survival, many of the long‑term complications of TDT are exacerbated by chronic transfusion therapy and iron overload and cumulative damage to the heart, liver and endocrine system, as well as bone abnormalities and delayed growth and puberty. TDT places a significant and ongoing burden on patients and their families, requiring frequent medical visits and complex lifelong treatment. Despite lifelong treatment, people with TDT face shortened life expectancy, with a mean age of death of approximately 50–55 years in Europe, reduced quality of life and productivity, and significant use of health care resources.

About CASGEVY® (exagamglogene autotemcel)

CASGEVY is a non-viral, ex vivo CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited cell therapy for eligible patients with SCD or TDT, in which a patient’s own hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are edited at the erythroid specific enhancer region of the BCL11A gene through a precise double-strand break. This edit results in the production of high levels of fetal hemoglobin (HbF; hemoglobin F) in red blood cells. HbF is the form of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin that is naturally present during fetal development, which then switches to the adult form of hemoglobin after birth. CASGEVY has been shown in clinical trials to reduce or eliminate VOCs for patients with SCD and transfusion requirements for patients with TDT.

About the CLIMB Studies

The completed Phase 1/2/3 open-label studies, CLIMB-111 and CLIMB-121, were designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of CASGEVY in patients ages 12–35 years with TDT or with SCD and recurrent VOCs. Patients were followed for approximately two years after CASGEVY infusion in these studies. CLIMB-141 and CLIMB-151 are ongoing Phase 3 open-label studies, designed to assess the safety and efficacy of a single dose of exagamglogene autotemcel in patients ages 2–11 years with TDT or with SCD and recurrent VOCs. Enrollment and dosing are complete for the 5–11-year-old cohort in both studies.

Each patient in these studies is asked to participate in the ongoing long-term, open-label study, CLIMB-131. CLIMB-131 is designed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of CASGEVY in patients with up to 15 years of follow-up after CASGEVY infusion.

U.S. INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR CASGEVY

WHAT IS CASGEVY?

CASGEVY is a one-time therapy used to treat people ages 12 years and older with:

• sickle cell disease (SCD) who have frequent vaso-occlusive crises or VOCs

• beta thalassemia (β-thalassemia) who need regular blood transfusions

CASGEVY is made specifically for each patient, using the patient’s own edited blood stem cells, and increases the production of a special type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin F (fetal hemoglobin or HbF). Having more HbF increases overall hemoglobin levels and has been shown to improve the production and function of red blood cells. This can eliminate VOCs in people with sickle cell disease and eliminate the need for regular blood transfusions in people with beta thalassemia.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

What is the most important information I should know about CASGEVY?

After treatment with CASGEVY, you will have fewer blood cells for a while until CASGEVY takes hold (engrafts) into your bone marrow. This includes low levels of platelets (cells that usually help the blood to clot) and white blood cells (cells that usually fight infections). Your doctor will monitor this and give you treatment as required. The doctor will tell you when blood cell levels return to safe levels.

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following, which could be signs of low levels of platelet cells: severe headache abnormal bruising prolonged bleeding bleeding without injury such as nosebleeds; bleeding from gums; blood in your urine, stool, or vomit; or coughing up blood Tell your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following, which could be signs of low levels of white blood cells: fever chills infections You may experience side effects associated with other medicines administered as part of the treatment regimen for CASGEVY. Talk to your physician regarding those possible side effects. Your healthcare provider may give you other medicines to treat your side effects.

How will I receive CASGEVY?

Your healthcare provider will give you other medicines, including a conditioning medicine, as part of your treatment with CASGEVY. It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of all medicines involved in your treatment.

After receiving the conditioning medicine, it may not be possible for you to become pregnant or father a child. You should discuss options for fertility preservation with your healthcare provider before treatment.

STEP 1: Before CASGEVY treatment, a doctor will give you mobilization medicine(s). This medicine moves blood stem cells from your bone marrow into the blood stream. The blood stem cells are then collected in a machine that separates the different blood cells (this is called apheresis). This entire process may happen more than once. Each time, it can take up to one week.

During this step rescue cells are also collected and stored at the hospital. These are your existing blood stem cells and are kept untreated just in case there is a problem in the treatment process. If CASGEVY cannot be given after the conditioning medicine, or if the modified blood stem cells do not take hold (engraft) in the body, these rescue cells will be given back to you. If you are given rescue cells, you will not have any treatment benefit from CASGEVY.

STEP 2: After they are collected, your blood stem cells will be sent to the manufacturing site where they are used to make CASGEVY. It may take up to 6 months from the time your cells are collected to manufacture and test CASGEVY before it is sent back to your healthcare provider.

STEP 3: Shortly before your stem cell transplant, your healthcare provider will give you a conditioning medicine for a few days in hospital. This will prepare you for treatment by clearing cells from the bone marrow, so they can be replaced with the modified cells in CASGEVY. After you are given this medicine, your blood cell levels will fall to very low levels. You will stay in the hospital for this step and remain in the hospital until after the infusion with CASGEVY.

STEP 4: One or more vials of CASGEVY will be given into a vein (intravenous infusion) over a short period of time.

After the CASGEVY infusion, you will stay in hospital so that your healthcare provider can closely monitor your recovery. This can take 4-6 weeks, but times can vary. Your healthcare provider will decide when you can go home.

What should I avoid after receiving CASGEVY?

Do not donate blood, organs, tissues, or cells at any time in the future What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of CASGEVY?

The most common side effects of CASGEVY include:

Low levels of platelet cells, which may reduce the ability of blood to clot and may cause bleeding Low levels of white blood cells, which may make you more susceptible to infection Your healthcare provider will test your blood to check for low levels of blood cells (including platelets and white blood cells). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you get any of the following symptoms:

fever chills infections severe headache abnormal bruising prolonged bleeding bleeding without injury such as nosebleeds; bleeding from gums; blood in your urine, stool, or vomit; or coughing up blood These are not all the possible side effects of CASGEVY. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

General information about the safe and effective use of CASGEVY

Talk to your healthcare provider about any health concerns.

Please see full Prescribing Information including Patient Information for CASGEVY.

About Vertex

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia and acute pain, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1.

Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 16 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex’s history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.

Vertex Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements made by Carmen Bozic, M.D., and Franco Locatelli, M.D., Ph.D., and statements regarding expectations for the transformative potential of CASGEVY in this age group, and expectations for the global regulatory submissions for younger children. While Vertex believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, these forward-looking statements represent the company's beliefs only as of the date of this press release and there are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that data from the company's research and development programs may not support registration or further development of its potential medicines in a timely manner, or at all, due to safety, efficacy or other reasons, that CASGEVY may not receive regulatory approval for this age range on the expected timeline, or at all, and other risks listed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Vertex's most recent annual report and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com. You should not place undue reliance on these statements, or the scientific data presented. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.

(VRTX-GEN)

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX - Free Report) closed at $444.41 in the latest trading session, marking a +2% move from the prior day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.75%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 1.86%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 2.54%.

Shares of the drugmaker witnessed a loss of 3.83% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Medical sector with its gain of 3.73%, and the S&P 500's loss of 1.63%.

The upcoming earnings release of Vertex Pharmaceuticals will be of great interest to investors. It is anticipated that the company will report an EPS of $4.79, marking a 5.97% rise compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $3.22 billion, up 8.46% from the prior-year quarter.

VRTX's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of $19.15 per share and revenue of $13.03 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +4.08% and +8.57%, respectively.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for Vertex Pharmaceuticals. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the business outlook.

Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.16% higher. Vertex Pharmaceuticals is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.

In terms of valuation, Vertex Pharmaceuticals is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 22.76. This expresses a premium compared to the average Forward P/E of 20.9 of its industry.

It is also worth noting that VRTX currently has a PEG ratio of 1.66. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics was holding an average PEG ratio of 1.46 at yesterday's closing price.

The Medical - Biomedical and Genetics industry is part of the Medical sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 153, positioning it in the bottom 38% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank evaluates the power of our distinct industry groups by determining the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks forming the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

Keep in mind to rely on Zacks.com to watch all these stock-impacting metrics, and more, in the succeeding trading sessions.