VRTX vs QQQ: which was the better investment?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated against Invesco QQQ Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did VRTX beat QQQ?
Yes — measured from Mar 10, 1999 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VRTX came out ahead: $360,920 versus $167,622 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 14.0% annual return against 10.9%.
What would $10,000 in VRTX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) on Mar 10, 1999 would be worth about $360,920 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 3509.2% (14.0% per year). The same $10,000 in QQQ would be worth $167,622.
Which was riskier — VRTX or QQQ?
VRTX swung with an annualized volatility of 53.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -91.8%; QQQ ran at 26.9% volatility with a -83.0% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.23 for VRTX vs 0.33 for QQQ.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Mar 10, 1999 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with VRTX vs QQQ. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.