Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) Stock Gets Price Target Trim from Morgan Stanley

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) had its target price dropped by stock analysts at Morgan Stanley from $665.00 to $660.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has an “overweight” rating on the pharmaceutical company’s stock. Morgan Stanley‘s target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.53% from the stock’s current price.

Several other research analysts have also commented on the company. Sanford C. Bernstein raised Vertex Pharmaceuticals to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Weiss Ratings raised Vertex Pharmaceuticals from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a report on Friday, October 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price objective on Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $576.00 to $600.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday. Leerink Partners started coverage on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals in a research report on Monday, September 21st. They set an “outperform” rating and a $594.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Rothschild & Co Redburn lifted their target price on shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals from $570.00 to $580.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-five have given a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vertex Pharmaceuticals has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $595.74.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Price Performance

Shares of VRTX traded down $18.88 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $534.27. 1,204,990 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,388,479. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $523.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $479.96. Vertex Pharmaceuticals has a twelve month low of $403.16 and a twelve month high of $568.67. The company has a market capitalization of $135.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 31.06, a PEG ratio of 2.54 and a beta of 0.28.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:VRTX) last posted its earnings results on Monday, November 2nd. The pharmaceutical company reported $4.76 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.82 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $3.44 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $3.42 billion. Vertex Pharmaceuticals had a net margin of 35.00% and a return on equity of 23.09%. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $4.80 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Vertex Pharmaceuticals will post 16.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Trading of Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Vertex Pharmaceuticals during the second quarter worth $11,975,849,000. State Street Corp grew its position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 11,871,459 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $5,896,910,000 after buying an additional 141,320 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP increased its stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 3,247,658 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $1,613,209,000 after buying an additional 35,069 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its stake in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 3,086,683 shares of the pharmaceutical company’s stock valued at $1,533,248,000 after buying an additional 29,287 shares during the period. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the 2nd quarter valued at $1,509,651,000. 90.96% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Trending Headlines about Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Here are the key news stories impacting Vertex Pharmaceuticals this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Third-quarter revenue increased 11.8% year over year to $3.44 billion, exceeding the $3.42 billion consensus estimate. Growth was supported by the cystic fibrosis franchise and increasing contributions from newer products, including CASGEVY and JOURNAVX. Vertex Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Positive Sentiment: Several analysts raised their price targets after the earnings release. RBC lifted its target to $600 with an “outperform” rating, Wells Fargo raised its target to $650 with an “overweight” rating, Cantor Fitzgerald increased its target to $619 with an “overweight” rating, and Stifel raised its target to $563 while maintaining a “hold” rating. Wells Fargo analyst update
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised full-year 2026 revenue guidance to $13.2 billion-$13.3 billion and highlighted continued portfolio diversification, pipeline progress, and the completed acquisition of Crinetics Pharmaceuticals. Vertex third-quarter results
• Neutral Sentiment: The company’s outlook is broadly in line with Wall Street’s $13.3 billion revenue estimate, limiting the positive impact of the guidance increase. Investors will focus on whether newer launches can offset the eventual transition within the cystic fibrosis business.
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings of $4.76 per share fell short of consensus estimates ranging from $4.82 to $4.92 and declined from $4.80 a year earlier. Vertex misses third-quarter earnings estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Higher investment in new product launches and the Crinetics transaction kept profit growth from matching revenue growth, creating concern that elevated spending could weigh on near-term margins.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Company Profile

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is a global biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing medicines for serious diseases. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the company applies expertise in the science of human disease to discover therapies that address significant unmet medical needs.

Vertex is best known for its cystic fibrosis portfolio, which includes Kalydeco, Orkambi, Symdeko/Symkevi, and Trikafta/Kaftrio. These medicines target the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis for patients with specific mutations in the CFTR gene.