Compare StocksADBE vs VRTX

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)

ADBE
Adobe Inc.
$245.99
VS
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$458.05

Rewards

ADBE
  • Adobe Inc. has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Gross margin of 89.4% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Adobe Inc. scores 100/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with roic consistency as the strongest competitive dimension.
VRTX
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $5.82 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
  • PEG ratio of 0.91 suggests the stock is undervalued relative to its growth rate — paying less than 1x for each unit of earnings growth.
  • Altman Z-Score of 12.04 indicates very low bankruptcy risk — the company is firmly in the safe zone.

Risks

ADBE
    VRTX
    • ROIC has declined by 5.3 percentage points over the observed period, which may signal competitive erosion.
    • FCF yield of 2.2% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
    • 30 insider sales totaling $75.0M with no purchases in the past 3 months — insiders are reducing their exposure.

    Key Valuation Metrics

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    ADBE
    VRTX
    Valuation
    $9.29B
    Free Cash Flow
    $2.57B
    9.20%
    FCF Yield
    2.21%
    14.33
    Trailing P/E
    29.94
    9.33
    Forward P/E
    20.87
    Quality & Moat
    40.36%
    ROIC
    18.14%
    62.36%
    ROE
    21.18%
    89.40%
    Gross Margin
    53.66%
    1.29
    PEG Ratio
    0.91
    Balance Sheet Safety
    0.58
    Debt / Equity
    0.11
    N/A
    Interest Coverage
    N/A
    -0.02
    Net Debt / EBITDA
    -0.94
    N/A
    Dividend Yield
    N/A
    ADBE: 7Ties: 1VRTX: 3
    ADBEVRTX

    Historical Fundamentals

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    ADBE

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    VRTX

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

    $1 Retained Earnings Test

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    ADBE
    $-0.60
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Market Cap Declined
    Σ Retained
    $18.12B
    Δ Market Cap
    $-10.93B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
    VRTX
    $5.82
    created per $1 retained over 3 years
    Exceptional Value Creator
    Σ Retained
    $7.04B
    Δ Market Cap
    +$40.93B
    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
    > $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

    Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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    ADBE
    48.4% Margin of Safety
    Price is 48.4% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $245.99
    Fair Value: $477.11
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued
    VRTX
    10.2% Margin of Safety
    Price is 10.2% below estimated fair value
    Current Price: $458.05
    Fair Value: $510.34
    Strongly undervalued
    Undervalued
    Fairly valued
    Overvalued
    Strongly overvalued

    Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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    ADBE

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $246?

    +3.0%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies -0.7%

    The market implies +3.0% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.

    Standard FCF implies a more demanding -0.7%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.

    VRTX

    What growth rate is the market pricing in at $458?

    +12.4%
    Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
    Standard FCF implies +18.3%

    The market implies +12.4% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

    Standard FCF implies a demanding +18.3%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

    Economic Moat Score

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    100/100
    Wide Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. ROIC Consistency is the standout factor.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
    VRTX
    65/100
    Narrow Moat
    70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

    Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving margin stability would strengthen the moat.

    Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

    Forensic Accounting

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    ADBE
    -2.85
    Unlikely Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
    VRTX
    -2.21
    Possible Manipulator
    Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

    M-Score Trend

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

    Ownership Breakdown

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    ADBE
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 87.8%Retail & Other 11.9%
    No. of Institutional Holders3,534
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
    VRTX
    Insiders 0.2%Institutions 97.7%Retail & Other 2.1%
    No. of Institutional Holders2,318
    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

    Insider Buying Activity

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    0
    Buys (3M)
    0
    Buys (12M)
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $507,758
    @ $390.58 · 2025-03-20
    RICKS DAVID A
    Director
    $998,946
    @ $443.98 · 2025-01-28
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
    VRTX
    0
    Buys (3M)
    2
    Buys (12M)
    Total value (12M): $5.84M
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $3.90M
    @ $389.58 · 2025-08-06
    SACHS BRUCE I
    Director
    $1.95M
    @ $389.68 · 2025-08-06
    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

    Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

    Insider Selling Activity

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    ADBE
    1
    Sells (3M)
    3
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $711,495
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $485,323
    @ $294.85 · 2026-01-27
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $50,344
    @ $337.88 · 2025-10-31
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $175,828
    @ $380.58 · 2025-05-02
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $145,567
    @ $435.83 · 2025-01-28
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $2.05M
    @ $431.61 · 2025-01-27
    BANSE AMY L
    Director
    $333,300
    @ $550.00 · 2024-12-06
    FORUSZ JILLIAN
    Officer
    $327,987
    @ $485.19 · 2024-10-29
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $232,525
    @ $483.42 · 2024-10-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.14M
    @ $511.48 · 2024-10-16
    DURN DANIEL J
    Chief Financial Officer
    $3.35M
    @ $515.44 · 2024-09-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $52,089
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $258,297
    @ $537.00 · 2024-07-25
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $85,255
    @ $564.60 · 2024-07-16
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.25M
    @ $561.60 · 2024-07-16
    RAO DANA J.D.
    General Counsel
    $3.56M
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $138,735
    @ $525.51 · 2024-06-17
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $265,644
    @ $447.97 · 2024-06-03
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $389,630
    @ $490.10 · 2024-05-06
    BELSKY SCOTT K
    Officer
    $1.29M
    @ $474.30 · 2024-05-02
    GARFIELD MARK S.
    Officer
    $45,436
    @ $468.41 · 2024-04-25
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
    VRTX
    30
    Sells (3M)
    40
    Sells (12M)
    Total value (12M): $146.21M
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.12M
    @ $481.79 · 2026-03-13
    MCKECHNIE DUNCAN
    Officer
    $1.31M
    @ $498.42 · 2026-03-11
    MCKECHNIE DUNCAN
    Officer
    $1.16M
    @ $475.30 · 2026-03-04
    LIU JOY
    Officer
    $442,396
    @ $495.96 · 2026-03-02
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.12M
    @ $480.31 · 2026-02-27
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $19.74M
    @ $493.47 · 2026-02-27
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $172,560
    @ $483.36 · 2026-02-26
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $324,882
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    MCKECHNIE DUNCAN
    Officer
    $2.39M
    @ $487.65 · 2026-02-25
    BUNNAGE MARK E.
    Officer
    $301,537
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $108,456
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $459,601
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $126,451
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    SACHDEV AMIT
    Officer
    $897,802
    @ $486.35 · 2026-02-25
    SACHDEV AMIT
    Officer
    $27.48M
    @ $468.83 · 2026-02-19
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $1.38M
    @ $484.93 · 2026-02-18
    BUNNAGE MARK E.
    Officer
    $1.75M
    @ $484.31 · 2026-02-18
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $1.06M
    @ $484.87 · 2026-02-18
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $1.80M
    @ $484.18 · 2026-02-18
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $472,395
    @ $483.52 · 2026-02-18
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $493,012
    @ $499.00 · 2026-02-13
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $749,985
    @ $499.99 · 2026-02-13
    BHATIA SANGEETA N
    Director
    $133,000
    @ $500.00 · 2026-02-13
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $806,213
    @ $460.43 · 2026-02-11
    BUNNAGE MARK E.
    Officer
    $930,529
    @ $460.43 · 2026-02-11
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $633,552
    @ $460.43 · 2026-02-11
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $886,328
    @ $460.43 · 2026-02-11
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $214,560
    @ $460.43 · 2026-02-11
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $2.14M
    @ $474.99 · 2026-01-07
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Operating Officer
    $4.39M
    @ $461.00 · 2026-01-06
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $155,803
    @ $449.00 · 2025-12-03
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $2.02M
    @ $449.99 · 2025-12-03
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Operating Officer
    $6.38M
    @ $456.00 · 2025-12-03
    LEIDEN JEFFREY M
    Officer and Director
    $28.65M
    @ $449.20 · 2025-12-03
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $1.09M
    @ $434.58 · 2025-11-17
    LEIDEN JEFFREY M
    Officer and Director
    $32.29M
    @ $440.60 · 2025-11-14
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $280,522
    @ $404.21 · 2025-10-02
    BHATIA SANGEETA N
    Director
    $102,860
    @ $386.69 · 2025-08-27
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $22,084
    @ $424.69 · 2025-05-15
    BHATIA SANGEETA N
    Director
    $202,344
    @ $505.86 · 2025-05-02
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $1.65M
    @ $510.00 · 2025-03-13
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $1.62M
    @ $499.99 · 2025-03-10
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $1.62M
    @ $500.00 · 2025-03-10
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.65M
    @ $500.00 · 2025-03-10
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $1.97M
    @ $485.49 · 2025-03-04
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $1.58M
    @ $490.00 · 2025-03-03
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $1.26M
    @ $475.34 · 2025-02-27
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $251,930
    @ $475.34 · 2025-02-27
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $610,560
    @ $480.00 · 2025-02-27
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Officer
    $849,839
    @ $480.95 · 2025-02-25
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $425,160
    @ $480.95 · 2025-02-25
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $170,256
    @ $480.95 · 2025-02-25
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $407,846
    @ $480.95 · 2025-02-25
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $533,280
    @ $480.00 · 2025-02-20
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $305,345
    @ $455.06 · 2025-02-18
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $754,034
    @ $455.06 · 2025-02-18
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $111,035
    @ $455.06 · 2025-02-18
    AMBROSE KRISTEN
    Officer
    $632,726
    @ $459.83 · 2025-02-11
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $803,323
    @ $459.83 · 2025-02-11
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $1.58M
    @ $459.87 · 2025-02-11
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $142,547
    @ $459.83 · 2025-02-11
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $7,178
    @ $478.53 · 2024-11-15
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.55M
    @ $518.27 · 2024-11-11
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.83M
    @ $515.00 · 2024-11-08
    BILLER JONATHAN PRIM
    Officer
    $461,198
    @ $461.66 · 2024-10-02
    BHATIA SANGEETA N
    Director
    $323,000
    @ $500.00 · 2024-08-30
    LEIDEN JEFFREY M
    Officer and Director
    $1.89M
    @ $499.00 · 2024-08-30
    BHATIA SANGEETA N
    Director
    $602,447
    @ $466.29 · 2024-08-08
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.09M
    @ $476.75 · 2024-08-07
    SACHS BRUCE I
    Director
    $2.69M
    @ $508.00 · 2024-08-01
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.68M
    @ $505.00 · 2024-07-30
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.11M
    @ $488.46 · 2024-07-24
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $7.56M
    @ $497.00 · 2024-07-22
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.11M
    @ $487.34 · 2024-07-10
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.08M
    @ $471.72 · 2024-06-26
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.09M
    @ $478.00 · 2024-06-12
    ATKINSON EDWARD MORROW III
    Chief Technology Officer
    $3.48M
    @ $478.00 · 2024-06-12
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $1.00M
    @ $460.00 · 2024-06-03
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.50M
    @ $460.00 · 2024-06-03
    TATSIS OURANIA
    Officer
    $2.03M
    @ $441.99 · 2024-05-31
    BOZIC CARMEN
    Officer
    $1.02M
    @ $445.56 · 2024-05-29
    WAGNER CHARLES F JR
    Chief Financial Officer
    $1.48M
    @ $454.79 · 2024-05-28
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $715,205
    @ $457.00 · 2024-05-24
    SACHS BRUCE I
    Director
    $3.17M
    @ $448.00 · 2024-05-22
    KEWALRAMANI RESHMA
    Chief Executive Officer
    $6.80M
    @ $447.00 · 2024-05-20
    ARBUCKLE STUART A
    Chief Operating Officer
    $29,734
    @ $430.93 · 2024-05-15
    ALTSHULER DAVID
    Officer
    $23,270
    @ $430.93 · 2024-05-15
    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

    Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

    🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    FearGreed
    😨Fear(27/100)

    "Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
    VRTX
    FearGreed
    😐Neutral(50/100)

    "Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

    Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

    ⚖️ Buffett Signal

    Learn more →
    ADBE
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (27)
    VRTX
    Awaiting DCF Data

    The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

    DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (50)
    View ADBE Full AnalysisView VRTX Full Analysis