Analysis of Short-term (Operating) Activity Ratios
Quarterly Data
Activity ratios measure how efficiently a company performs day-to-day tasks, such us the collection of receivables and management of inventory.
Short-term Activity Ratios (Summary)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., short-term (operating) activity ratios (quarterly data)
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
- Inventory Turnover
- The inventory turnover ratio shows a declining trend from 2.56 in the first quarter of 2021 to 0.99 by the third quarter of 2025. This steady decrease indicates that inventory is being sold and replaced less frequently over time, which could suggest either an accumulation of inventory or slower sales performance.
- Receivables Turnover
- The receivables turnover ratio remains relatively stable with minor fluctuations, ranging between approximately 5.95 and 7.19 across the observed periods. This stability suggests consistent collection efficiency of accounts receivable, although slight decreases in some quarters indicate occasional extensions in credit terms or collection challenges.
- Payables Turnover
- The payables turnover ratio is more volatile, with values dropping from a high of 8.23 in late 2022 to lows near 3.13–3.83 in subsequent periods. This variation indicates irregular payment patterns to suppliers, with periods of faster payments followed by longer payment terms, which may be part of working capital management strategies or responses to supplier negotiations.
- Working Capital Turnover
- Working capital turnover displays an interesting pattern: relatively stable around 0.9–1.03 from 2021 through early 2023, followed by a significant increase reaching values near 1.92 by mid-2024 and maintaining elevated levels through 2025. This suggests an improved efficiency in using working capital to generate sales, possibly reflecting optimized asset utilization or reduced working capital requirements in recent periods.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- The average inventory processing period shows a clear upward trend, increasing from around 142 days in early 2021 to 369 days by the third quarter of 2025. This increase aligns with the declining inventory turnover ratio and implies that inventory is held for much longer periods before being sold, which may indicate slower inventory movement or stockpiling.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- Receivable collection periods fluctuate modestly, mostly between 51 and 64 days. No strong upward or downward trends are apparent, indicating steady collection practices despite some minor quarter-on-quarter variations.
- Operating Cycle
- The operating cycle lengthens noticeably, from approximately 198 days in early 2021 to 430 days by late 2025. This reflects the combined effect of increased inventory holding periods and stable but slightly lengthening receivables collection times, signifying a longer duration between purchasing inventory and receiving cash from sales.
- Average Payables Payment Period
- The average payables payment period shows considerable volatility, with periods of both shortening and lengthening spanning from 44 days to over 117 days. Notably, payment periods jumped significantly in late 2021 and stabilized somewhat above 90 days in recent years. This could suggest strategic vendor payment deferrals to improve cash flow or reflect changes in supplier payment terms.
- Cash Conversion Cycle
- The cash conversion cycle exhibits an overall increasing trend, beginning near 137 days in early 2021 and extending beyond 330 days by late 2025. The elongation of this cycle indicates that cash is tied up for longer periods in the operating process, largely due to extended inventory processing and receivables collection periods partially offset by extended payables payment periods. This lengthening cash conversion cycle could impact liquidity and working capital efficiency.
Turnover Ratios
Average No. Days
Inventory Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., inventory turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 414,800) | 407,500) | 363,000) | 423,400) | 392,600) | 371,900) | 342,600) | 368,000) | 318,700) | 308,600) | 266,900) | 283,300) | 289,400) | 261,800) | 245,800) | 247,387) | 236,512) | 227,972) | 192,329) | ||||||
| Inventories | 1,626,800) | 1,499,300) | 1,359,700) | 1,205,400) | 1,079,800) | 914,600) | 813,100) | 738,800) | 688,700) | 603,500) | 535,100) | 460,600) | 388,200) | 367,700) | 338,900) | 353,100) | 333,456) | 321,620) | 298,863) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover1 | 0.99 | 1.06 | 1.14 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.53 | 1.65 | 1.71 | 1.71 | 1.90 | 2.06 | 2.35 | 2.69 | 2.70 | 2.83 | 2.56 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.56 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 3.65 | 3.42 | 3.71 | 4.04 | 4.09 | 4.86 | 4.83 | 4.98 | 4.74 | 4.30 | 4.53 | 4.87 | 5.54 | 4.99 | 4.96 | 5.58 | 5.76 | 5.45 | 5.40 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 1.92 | 1.88 | 1.88 | 1.84 | 1.75 | 1.42 | 1.14 | 0.89 | 1.41 | 1.38 | 1.31 | 1.30 | 1.34 | 1.40 | 1.48 | 1.58 | 1.53 | 1.53 | 1.53 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 5.31 | 5.18 | 5.28 | 5.46 | 3.57 | 3.72 | 3.70 | 4.02 | 4.33 | 4.39 | 3.93 | 4.33 | 4.77 | 4.59 | 4.55 | 4.74 | 4.85 | 5.01 | 5.61 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 3.67 | 3.60 | 3.79 | 4.15 | 3.60 | 3.59 | 3.73 | 3.80 | 3.53 | 3.58 | 3.50 | 4.03 | 3.80 | 3.71 | 3.87 | 4.16 | 4.06 | 4.28 | 4.34 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 0.83 | 0.84 | 0.96 | 1.11 | 1.05 | 1.16 | 1.17 | 1.23 | 1.40 | 1.37 | 1.36 | 1.54 | 1.86 | 1.79 | 1.93 | 1.88 | 1.79 | 1.80 | 1.68 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 3.47 | 3.40 | 3.55 | 3.66 | 3.62 | 3.33 | 3.59 | 3.64 | 3.49 | 3.45 | 3.57 | 3.75 | 4.71 | 4.50 | 4.50 | 4.08 | 3.21 | 2.99 | 2.79 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.08 | 2.17 | 2.24 | 2.21 | 2.15 | 2.20 | 2.32 | 2.37 | 2.46 | 2.23 | 2.36 | 2.49 | 2.68 | 2.69 | 2.77 | 2.87 | 2.86 | 2.91 | 2.86 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 2.27 | 2.25 | 2.43 | 2.49 | 2.45 | 2.39 | 2.42 | 2.54 | 2.63 | 2.66 | 2.72 | 2.95 | 3.10 | 3.06 | 2.74 | 2.29 | 2.73 | 2.79 | 2.40 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 1.46 | 1.52 | 1.60 | 1.65 | 1.66 | 2.05 | 2.15 | 2.45 | 2.65 | 2.31 | 3.07 | 3.82 | 3.62 | 3.66 | 3.67 | 3.40 | 2.78 | 1.80 | 1.28 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.63 | 0.64 | 0.64 | 0.65 | 0.66 | 0.70 | 0.72 | 0.69 | 0.67 | 0.65 | 0.83 | 0.96 | 1.27 | 1.25 | 0.88 | 0.82 | 0.56 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.47 | 4.57 | 4.82 | 5.06 | 4.62 | 4.83 | 4.93 | 5.06 | 4.83 | 4.64 | 4.62 | 4.60 | 4.29 | 4.03 | 3.87 | 3.88 | 3.90 | 4.03 | 4.01 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Inventory turnover
= (Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025
+ Cost of salesQ1 2025
+ Cost of salesQ4 2024)
÷ Inventories
= (414,800 + 407,500 + 363,000 + 423,400)
÷ 1,626,800 = 0.99
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the quarterly financial data reveals several distinct trends and changes over the observed periods.
- Cost of Sales
- The cost of sales exhibits an overall increasing trend across the quarters analyzed. Starting from approximately $192 million in March 2021, the cost rises with some fluctuations to reach a peak of around $423 million by December 2024. Notably, there are intermittent decreases, such as the drop from $289 million in September 2022 to about $283 million in December 2022, but the general trajectory remains upward through to 2025.
- Inventories
- Inventories demonstrate a consistent growth pattern throughout the periods. Beginning at roughly $299 million in March 2021, inventory levels climb steadily, accelerating more notably from late 2022 into 2025. By September 2025, inventories have expanded to approximately $1.63 billion. This substantial increase suggests a buildup of stock levels over time, potentially indicating changes in production, demand forecasting, or supply chain strategy.
- Inventory Turnover Ratio
- The inventory turnover ratio shows a clear declining trend over the quarters. From an initial ratio of about 2.56 in March 2021, it decreases gradually and persistently, falling below 1.0 by September 2025. This decline suggests that the company is turning over its inventory less frequently, which could be indicative of slower sales relative to inventory levels or increased inventory holding periods.
In summary, while costs and inventories are rising—reflecting growing expenditures and stock accumulation—the decreasing inventory turnover ratio points to a potential inefficiency in inventory management or a mismatch between inventory levels and sales velocity. The company may need to review its inventory policies or consider strategies to enhance inventory utilization and reduce holding costs.
Receivables Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., receivables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 3,076,400) | 2,964,700) | 2,770,200) | 2,912,000) | 2,771,900) | 2,645,600) | 2,690,600) | 2,517,700) | 2,483,500) | 2,493,200) | 2,374,800) | 2,302,700) | 2,334,300) | 2,196,200) | 2,097,500) | 2,072,561) | 1,984,164) | 1,793,370) | 1,724,305) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,946,400) | 1,893,500) | 1,805,100) | 1,609,400) | 1,750,600) | 1,656,100) | 1,793,200) | 1,563,400) | 1,538,700) | 1,556,200) | 1,547,800) | 1,442,200) | 1,385,200) | 1,332,900) | 1,292,800) | 1,136,800) | 1,100,372) | 929,142) | 977,551) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover1 | 6.02 | 6.03 | 6.15 | 6.85 | 6.07 | 6.24 | 5.68 | 6.31 | 6.27 | 6.11 | 5.95 | 6.19 | 6.28 | 6.26 | 6.15 | 6.66 | 6.48 | 7.19 | 6.56 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 4.67 | 4.62 | 4.60 | 5.16 | 4.84 | 4.69 | 4.55 | 4.87 | 4.83 | 4.88 | 4.95 | 5.16 | 5.38 | 5.10 | 5.29 | 5.63 | 5.94 | 5.42 | 5.24 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 4.06 | 3.85 | 4.03 | 4.72 | 4.26 | 4.26 | 4.16 | 3.70 | 4.17 | 4.34 | 4.34 | 4.46 | 4.60 | 4.62 | 4.81 | 4.96 | 5.11 | 5.39 | 5.41 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 6.46 | 6.74 | 6.79 | 6.75 | 6.77 | 7.15 | 7.02 | 6.09 | 6.15 | 6.64 | 6.89 | 6.40 | 7.09 | 6.81 | 6.87 | 6.36 | 6.69 | 6.51 | 6.28 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 3.69 | 3.76 | 4.07 | 4.09 | 3.97 | 3.53 | 4.56 | 3.75 | 3.93 | 3.93 | 3.68 | 4.14 | 4.35 | 4.57 | 4.64 | 4.24 | 4.69 | 4.58 | 4.56 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 5.60 | 6.01 | 6.51 | 6.47 | 6.14 | 5.92 | 5.84 | 5.78 | 5.68 | 6.43 | 6.43 | 5.65 | 6.16 | 6.60 | 7.18 | 6.01 | 5.95 | 6.34 | 6.43 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 5.23 | 5.08 | 5.58 | 5.98 | 5.42 | 5.48 | 5.73 | 5.73 | 5.91 | 5.36 | 5.65 | 5.88 | 6.04 | 5.92 | 6.08 | 6.14 | 6.13 | 6.00 | 5.64 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 5.30 | 5.37 | 5.92 | 6.24 | 5.55 | 5.37 | 5.40 | 5.81 | 5.71 | 5.29 | 5.56 | 6.27 | 6.22 | 5.93 | 5.49 | 5.28 | 5.56 | 6.00 | 5.65 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 4.40 | 5.29 | 5.27 | 5.55 | 4.18 | 4.93 | 5.09 | 5.33 | 6.25 | 7.66 | 7.57 | 9.16 | 6.21 | 6.68 | 6.99 | 7.08 | 5.81 | 5.23 | 4.70 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.51 | 2.53 | 2.53 | 2.29 | 2.27 | 2.36 | 2.51 | 2.31 | 2.35 | 2.47 | 2.42 | 2.28 | 2.47 | 2.76 | 3.41 | 2.66 | 2.48 | 1.77 | 2.20 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.91 | 5.03 | 5.07 | 5.23 | 5.13 | 5.33 | 5.36 | 5.21 | 5.19 | 5.43 | 5.53 | 5.53 | 5.76 | 5.53 | 5.21 | 4.92 | 7.03 | 6.99 | 6.46 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Receivables turnover
= (RevenuesQ3 2025
+ RevenuesQ2 2025
+ RevenuesQ1 2025
+ RevenuesQ4 2024)
÷ Accounts receivable, net
= (3,076,400 + 2,964,700 + 2,770,200 + 2,912,000)
÷ 1,946,400 = 6.02
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The financial data reveals a steady upward trend in revenues over the observed periods. Starting from approximately $1.72 billion in the first quarter of 2021, revenues increased consistently, reaching a peak of around $3.08 billion by the third quarter of 2025. This indicates sustained growth in the company's sales or service income throughout the timeframe.
Accounts receivable, net, also displayed a general increase in absolute terms, rising from about $978 million in the first quarter of 2021 to nearly $1.95 billion in the third quarter of 2025. This growth in receivables aligns with the increasing revenue, reflecting higher amounts owed by customers as sales volume expands. However, there are some fluctuations; for example, accounts receivable dipped slightly in some quarters, particularly in late 2024 and early 2025, which may indicate periods of improved collections or credit control efforts.
Analysis of the receivables turnover ratio provides insight into the company's efficiency in collecting its receivables relative to its revenue. The ratio has fluctuated moderately throughout the periods, ranging approximately between 5.68 and 7.19. The turnover ratio started near 6.56 in early 2021, experienced a peak around 7.19 in the second quarter of 2021, and later settled mostly in the 6.0 to 6.3 range. Towards the later periods, there is a slight downward trend, with ratios moving closer to 6.0, indicating a modest decrease in collection efficiency or a lengthening in the average collection period despite increasing revenues and receivables.
In summary, the data illustrates robust revenue growth accompanied by a proportional increase in accounts receivable. While the receivables turnover ratio indicates that collection efficiency has remained relatively stable, a slight decline in this ratio in recent quarters could suggest emerging challenges in receivables management that warrant attention. Continuous monitoring will be essential to sustain strong cash flow and maintain effective credit policies as the company expands.
- Revenues
- Steady increase from $1.72 billion to $3.08 billion over the observed period, reflecting strong growth.
- Accounts Receivable, Net
- General upward trend in line with revenue growth, increasing from $978 million to $1.95 billion, with minor fluctuations likely due to collection activities.
- Receivables Turnover Ratio
- Fluctuated moderately between approximately 5.68 and 7.19; slight moderation toward lower turnover ratios in later periods suggests a small decrease in collection efficiency.
Payables Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., payables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 414,800) | 407,500) | 363,000) | 423,400) | 392,600) | 371,900) | 342,600) | 368,000) | 318,700) | 308,600) | 266,900) | 283,300) | 289,400) | 261,800) | 245,800) | 247,387) | 236,512) | 227,972) | 192,329) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 420,300) | 442,300) | 445,000) | 413,000) | 395,800) | 327,900) | 351,400) | 364,900) | 375,900) | 363,000) | 323,200) | 303,900) | 126,900) | 198,000) | 173,600) | 195,000) | 127,863) | 127,534) | 127,839) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover1 | 3.83 | 3.59 | 3.49 | 3.71 | 3.73 | 4.27 | 3.81 | 3.46 | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.41 | 3.55 | 8.23 | 5.01 | 5.52 | 4.64 | 6.73 | 6.35 | 5.99 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 4.29 | 4.12 | 5.25 | 6.74 | 5.99 | 5.01 | 6.10 | 5.32 | 5.22 | 5.67 | 4.97 | 4.08 | 5.30 | 5.09 | 4.65 | 4.72 | 5.41 | 4.92 | 4.40 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.42 | 2.61 | 3.52 | 3.88 | 3.43 | 3.05 | 3.12 | 3.28 | 3.75 | 3.38 | 3.20 | 3.33 | 3.82 | 3.41 | 3.25 | 3.37 | 3.89 | 2.97 | 3.69 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 5.78 | 5.62 | 5.57 | 5.52 | 6.04 | 5.84 | 5.88 | 5.58 | 5.63 | 5.82 | 5.68 | 5.45 | 5.61 | 5.00 | 5.04 | 4.48 | 5.20 | 5.54 | 5.29 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 2.37 | 2.27 | 2.61 | 2.61 | 2.70 | 2.56 | 2.88 | 2.73 | 2.81 | 2.65 | 3.07 | 3.43 | 4.24 | 4.21 | 5.24 | 4.38 | 4.46 | 4.30 | 3.75 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 7.66 | 10.65 | 8.47 | 7.50 | 7.49 | 12.57 | 10.69 | 11.81 | 9.90 | 9.06 | 8.99 | 6.25 | 11.22 | 11.89 | 11.43 | 9.36 | 9.18 | 8.70 | 8.71 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 3.06 | 3.07 | 2.97 | 2.66 | 3.03 | 3.03 | 3.23 | 2.76 | 3.29 | 2.75 | 3.05 | 2.66 | 3.08 | 3.15 | 3.26 | 2.70 | 3.32 | 3.38 | 3.34 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 3.53 | 3.82 | 3.98 | 3.72 | 4.26 | 4.39 | 4.48 | 4.11 | 4.59 | 4.58 | 4.34 | 4.08 | 5.16 | 4.86 | 4.25 | 2.96 | 4.54 | 3.93 | 3.81 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 3.32 | 3.44 | 3.30 | 3.17 | 3.67 | 4.60 | 4.19 | 3.72 | 5.07 | 3.92 | 4.78 | 5.04 | 5.49 | 6.17 | 6.66 | 5.53 | 5.11 | 3.72 | 2.68 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.30 | 2.83 | 2.84 | 2.50 | 3.87 | 3.32 | 2.67 | 2.99 | 3.43 | 3.14 | 2.69 | 2.65 | 3.74 | 4.00 | 5.39 | 4.32 | 4.23 | 3.42 | 2.23 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 8.23 | 8.53 | 8.25 | 8.18 | 9.63 | 9.85 | 9.91 | 8.97 | 10.41 | 10.82 | 9.35 | 7.67 | 9.93 | 8.84 | 7.96 | 6.83 | 8.31 | 8.88 | 8.12 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Payables turnover
= (Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025
+ Cost of salesQ1 2025
+ Cost of salesQ4 2024)
÷ Accounts payable
= (414,800 + 407,500 + 363,000 + 423,400)
÷ 420,300 = 3.83
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Cost of Sales
- The cost of sales showed an overall upward trend from March 2021 through December 2025. Beginning at approximately 192 million USD in the first quarter of 2021, the figure increased gradually, reaching a peak of around 423 million USD by the fourth quarter of 2024. There was a notable acceleration in growth starting in the second half of 2022, continuing with some fluctuations but maintaining a generally increasing pattern through 2025. This steady rise likely reflects expanding operations, increased production costs, or both.
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts payable exhibited significant volatility over the observed periods. Starting near 128 million USD in early 2021, the balance increased to above 300 million USD intermittently, with particularly marked spikes in the last quarter of 2021 and the fourth quarter of 2022. After peaking above 445 million USD in the third quarter of 2025, there was a slight decrease to approximately 420 million USD by the end of the dataset. This pattern indicates episodic accumulation of payables, possibly due to larger purchases or deferred payments, with a generally upward trajectory over time.
- Payables Turnover Ratio
- The payables turnover ratio demonstrated a declining trend from the beginning of 2021 into late 2022, falling from roughly 6.0 to lows around 3.1 to 3.5. This decline suggests a lengthening of the average payment period to suppliers. After reaching these lower levels, the ratio showed minor fluctuations but remained within a relatively narrow range approximately between 3.1 and 4.3 through 2025. The consistently lower turnover ratios compared to early 2021 imply that payables were being settled more slowly or that accounts payable were increasing faster than the cost of sales.
- Overall Insights
- The increasing cost of sales alongside rising accounts payable indicates expanding operational scale or cost pressures. The reduction and stabilization of the payables turnover ratio suggest extending payment terms or changes in cash management practices. Volatility in accounts payable, with several sharp increases, could indicate timing differences in supplier payments or varying procurement cycles. Collectively, the data depicts a company managing higher costs and liabilities with potentially more flexible payment arrangements over the reported period.
Working Capital Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., working capital turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 10,569,600) | 10,427,900) | 10,008,800) | 9,596,400) | 9,804,100) | 8,941,600) | 13,288,700) | 14,144,200) | 14,695,800) | 13,872,900) | 12,965,700) | 13,234,800) | 12,271,000) | 11,503,500) | 10,361,300) | 9,560,600) | 8,852,540) | 8,457,514) | 8,539,307) | ||||||
| Less: Current liabilities | 4,475,300) | 4,138,400) | 3,783,200) | 3,564,600) | 3,973,100) | 3,547,200) | 3,795,900) | 3,547,400) | 3,599,400) | 3,352,100) | 3,026,200) | 2,742,100) | 2,609,300) | 2,556,200) | 2,180,200) | 2,142,000) | 1,914,264) | 1,836,448) | 1,944,050) | ||||||
| Working capital | 6,094,300) | 6,289,500) | 6,225,600) | 6,031,800) | 5,831,000) | 5,394,400) | 9,492,800) | 10,596,800) | 11,096,400) | 10,520,800) | 9,939,500) | 10,492,700) | 9,661,700) | 8,947,300) | 8,181,100) | 7,418,600) | 6,938,276) | 6,621,066) | 6,595,257) | ||||||
| Revenues | 3,076,400) | 2,964,700) | 2,770,200) | 2,912,000) | 2,771,900) | 2,645,600) | 2,690,600) | 2,517,700) | 2,483,500) | 2,493,200) | 2,374,800) | 2,302,700) | 2,334,300) | 2,196,200) | 2,097,500) | 2,072,561) | 1,984,164) | 1,793,370) | 1,724,305) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working capital turnover1 | 1.92 | 1.82 | 1.78 | 1.83 | 1.82 | 1.92 | 1.07 | 0.93 | 0.87 | 0.90 | 0.93 | 0.85 | 0.90 | 0.93 | 0.97 | 1.02 | 1.03 | 1.01 | 0.97 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working Capital Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 130.12 | — | — | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 5.66 | 5.35 | 8.36 | 5.40 | 4.83 | 5.19 | 3.39 | 2.25 | 0.81 | 0.84 | 0.82 | 3.82 | 2.52 | 3.67 | 4.34 | 3.37 | 2.55 | 5.35 | 2.84 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 6.20 | 8.09 | 6.87 | 7.79 | 8.49 | 12.50 | 15.56 | 4.60 | 10.47 | 5.53 | 5.55 | 8.30 | 5.75 | 4.92 | 6.24 | 3.95 | 4.43 | 4.24 | 4.25 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 7.39 | 5.71 | 8.27 | 8.85 | 8.73 | 8.10 | 3.60 | 4.22 | 2.18 | 3.08 | 3.81 | 4.20 | 5.00 | 5.43 | 5.91 | 8.40 | 7.98 | 3.12 | 3.45 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 2.71 | 4.92 | 4.38 | 10.32 | 6.06 | 12.62 | 5.45 | — | 31.79 | 12.21 | 5.77 | 31.84 | 14.71 | 19.45 | 8.19 | 8.33 | 6.73 | 12.14 | 5.21 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 5.12 | 8.14 | 6.27 | 3.99 | 9.22 | 17.98 | 26.58 | 5.61 | 6.74 | 84.15 | 9.14 | 8.42 | 8.56 | 6.87 | 6.68 | 8.54 | 7.25 | 7.09 | 7.06 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 24.63 | 284.99 | 6.10 | 15.94 | 58.86 | 22.29 | 10.35 | 11.81 | 9.37 | 14.06 | 23.02 | — | 4.88 | 5.02 | 5.57 | 5.95 | 5.97 | 5.93 | 7.26 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 3.39 | 5.77 | 6.19 | 6.19 | 5.86 | 5.14 | 9.68 | 9.29 | 6.69 | 8.86 | 5.63 | 5.16 | 5.58 | 6.39 | 6.09 | 7.62 | 6.51 | 6.97 | 84.97 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 6.08 | 10.68 | 6.64 | 8.64 | 5,036.00 | — | 29.17 | — | 1.62 | 2.03 | 6.89 | 11.00 | 3.83 | 5.05 | 6.10 | 4.78 | 4.29 | 4.21 | 3.60 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1.05 | 1.08 | 1.01 | 0.97 | 0.88 | 0.87 | 0.86 | 0.82 | 0.87 | 0.92 | 0.90 | 0.96 | 1.09 | 1.14 | 1.46 | 1.59 | 1.35 | 1.29 | 1.35 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 5.90 | 3.64 | 4.20 | 4.87 | 4.61 | 3.96 | 4.38 | 4.05 | 4.86 | 7.40 | 10.13 | 5.46 | 5.40 | 6.03 | 6.13 | 5.87 | 2.30 | 3.10 | 3.36 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Working capital turnover
= (RevenuesQ3 2025
+ RevenuesQ2 2025
+ RevenuesQ1 2025
+ RevenuesQ4 2024)
÷ Working capital
= (3,076,400 + 2,964,700 + 2,770,200 + 2,912,000)
÷ 6,094,300 = 1.92
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Working Capital
- The working capital showed a general upward trend from March 2021 to December 2022, rising from approximately $6.6 billion to nearly $10.5 billion. This indicates increasing current assets relative to current liabilities over this period. However, starting from March 2023, there was a notable decline, with working capital decreasing to about $9.5 billion by March 2024 and further dropping sharply to a low point of approximately $5.4 billion in June 2024. After this decline, the working capital exhibits a moderate recovery, gradually increasing to around $6.1 billion by September 2025.
- Revenues
- Revenues display a steady upward trajectory throughout the entire period from March 2021 to September 2025. Initial revenues were around $1.7 billion in early 2021 and consistently increased, reaching over $3.0 billion by the third quarter of 2025. Some quarters showed minor fluctuations, but the long-term trend is one of sustained revenue growth, reflecting successful business expansion or increased sales volume.
- Working Capital Turnover Ratio
- The working capital turnover ratio, which measures how efficiently the working capital is used to generate revenue, initially hovered around a range between 0.85 and 1.03 from March 2021 through December 2023. Notably, this ratio declined gradually from 1.02 in December 2021 to 0.85 in December 2022, suggesting a slight reduction in efficiency during this period. However, from March 2024 onwards, there is a marked increase in the turnover ratio, peaking at 1.92 in June 2024, and remaining around 1.8 to 1.9 through to September 2025. This increase corresponds with the sharp decline in working capital during the same period, suggesting revenues were maintained or grew while working capital was significantly reduced, hence improving turnover efficiency.
- Overall Insights
- The data suggests the company experienced significant working capital growth up to late 2022, followed by a sharp contraction in the following year, which appears to coincide with an improvement in working capital turnover efficiency. Revenue growth remained robust throughout the entire period, indicating strong operational performance. The improvement in turnover ratio despite reduced working capital may reflect better asset management or changes in operating cycle efficiency. The decline and subsequent partial recovery of working capital might warrant further investigation to understand underlying causes, such as shifts in current assets, liabilities, or external financial strategies.
Average Inventory Processing Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average inventory processing period calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover | 0.99 | 1.06 | 1.14 | 1.27 | 1.37 | 1.53 | 1.65 | 1.71 | 1.71 | 1.90 | 2.06 | 2.35 | 2.69 | 2.70 | 2.83 | 2.56 | 2.58 | 2.52 | 2.56 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period1 | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | 143 | 142 | 145 | 142 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Inventory Processing Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 100 | 107 | 98 | 90 | 89 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 85 | 81 | 75 | 66 | 73 | 74 | 65 | 63 | 67 | 68 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 190 | 194 | 195 | 199 | 209 | 257 | 321 | 411 | 259 | 265 | 279 | 281 | 272 | 260 | 247 | 231 | 239 | 239 | 239 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 69 | 70 | 69 | 67 | 102 | 98 | 99 | 91 | 84 | 83 | 93 | 84 | 76 | 79 | 80 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 65 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 99 | 101 | 96 | 88 | 101 | 102 | 98 | 96 | 104 | 102 | 104 | 91 | 96 | 98 | 94 | 88 | 90 | 85 | 84 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 441 | 435 | 379 | 329 | 349 | 316 | 312 | 298 | 261 | 267 | 268 | 237 | 196 | 204 | 189 | 194 | 204 | 203 | 217 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 105 | 108 | 103 | 100 | 101 | 110 | 102 | 100 | 105 | 106 | 102 | 97 | 78 | 81 | 81 | 89 | 114 | 122 | 131 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 176 | 168 | 163 | 165 | 169 | 166 | 158 | 154 | 149 | 164 | 155 | 147 | 136 | 136 | 132 | 127 | 128 | 125 | 128 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 160 | 162 | 150 | 147 | 149 | 153 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 137 | 134 | 124 | 118 | 119 | 133 | 159 | 134 | 131 | 152 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 251 | 239 | 229 | 222 | 219 | 178 | 170 | 149 | 138 | 158 | 119 | 95 | 101 | 100 | 99 | 107 | 131 | 203 | 284 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 571 | 570 | 582 | 572 | 573 | 562 | 553 | 519 | 508 | 532 | 549 | 562 | 440 | 379 | 287 | 292 | 415 | 445 | 653 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 82 | 80 | 76 | 72 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 85 | 91 | 94 | 94 | 94 | 91 | 91 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Average inventory processing period = 365 ÷ Inventory turnover
= 365 ÷ 0.99 = 369
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Inventory Turnover Ratio
- The inventory turnover ratio exhibited a gradual decline over the observed periods. Starting at 2.56 in the first quarter of 2021, it remained relatively stable through the end of 2021, fluctuating marginally around 2.5 to 2.8. However, beginning in early 2022, a downward trend emerged, with the ratio decreasing more noticeably into 2023 and continuing through to the final data point in late 2025, where it reached 0.99. This decline indicates a reduction in the frequency at which inventory is sold and replenished over time.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- The average inventory processing period, measured in days, mirrors the inverse trend of the turnover ratio, as expected. Initially, the period hovered around 142-145 days during 2021, showed some improvement in early 2022 with a decrease to approximately 129 days, but then began to increase sharply again starting mid-2022. The processing period lengthened steadily and significantly throughout the subsequent years, reaching 369 days by the third quarter of 2025. This suggests that inventory is being held for longer durations before sale, pointing to potential decreases in demand or efficiency in inventory management.
- Trend Analysis
- The combined trends in inventory turnover and processing period indicate a marked slowdown in inventory movement over the analyzed quarters. The increasing average duration that inventory remains on hand, alongside declining turnover, may signal challenges such as reduced sales velocity, overstocking, or operational inefficiencies.
- Implications
- The observed changes could impact liquidity and working capital requirements negatively, as funds remain tied up in inventory for extended periods. Management might need to investigate the causes, which could include shifts in market demand, supply chain disruptions, or internal process inefficiencies, and consider strategies to optimize inventory levels and turnover rates.
Average Receivable Collection Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average receivable collection period calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover | 6.02 | 6.03 | 6.15 | 6.85 | 6.07 | 6.24 | 5.68 | 6.31 | 6.27 | 6.11 | 5.95 | 6.19 | 6.28 | 6.26 | 6.15 | 6.66 | 6.48 | 7.19 | 6.56 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average receivable collection period1 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 55 | 56 | 51 | 56 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Receivable Collection Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 78 | 79 | 79 | 71 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 68 | 72 | 69 | 65 | 61 | 67 | 70 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 90 | 95 | 91 | 77 | 86 | 86 | 88 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 84 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 71 | 68 | 67 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 56 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 51 | 52 | 60 | 59 | 55 | 53 | 57 | 51 | 54 | 53 | 57 | 55 | 56 | 58 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 99 | 97 | 90 | 89 | 92 | 103 | 80 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 80 | 79 | 86 | 78 | 80 | 80 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 65 | 61 | 56 | 56 | 59 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 57 | 57 | 65 | 59 | 55 | 51 | 61 | 61 | 58 | 57 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 70 | 72 | 65 | 61 | 67 | 67 | 64 | 64 | 62 | 68 | 65 | 62 | 60 | 62 | 60 | 59 | 60 | 61 | 65 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 69 | 68 | 62 | 58 | 66 | 68 | 68 | 63 | 64 | 69 | 66 | 58 | 59 | 62 | 66 | 69 | 66 | 61 | 65 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 83 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 87 | 74 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 48 | 48 | 40 | 59 | 55 | 52 | 52 | 63 | 70 | 78 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 146 | 144 | 144 | 160 | 161 | 155 | 146 | 158 | 156 | 148 | 151 | 160 | 148 | 132 | 107 | 137 | 147 | 206 | 166 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 74 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 66 | 70 | 74 | 52 | 52 | 56 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Average receivable collection period = 365 ÷ Receivables turnover
= 365 ÷ 6.02 = 61
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of the quarterly data reveals subtle fluctuations in the company's receivables turnover ratio and average receivable collection period over the observed periods. These two metrics collectively provide insights into the efficiency of the company's credit and collections process.
- Receivables Turnover Ratio
- The receivables turnover ratio experienced notable variations around a relatively stable average. Starting at 6.56 in the first quarter of 2021, the ratio increased to a peak of 7.19 in the second quarter of 2021, suggesting an improvement in the efficiency of collecting receivables during that period. However, subsequent quarters saw a decline and stabilization around the mid-6 range, with minor fluctuations between 5.95 and 6.85 up to late 2024. In the final quarters through the third quarter of 2025, the ratio maintained a slightly declining trend towards the lower 6 range, ending near 6.02. This indicates a modest reduction in the frequency at which receivables are converted to cash in later periods.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- The average receivable collection period, measured in days, exhibited an inverse pattern to the receivables turnover ratio, as expected. Initially, the collection period shortened from 56 days in the first quarter of 2021 to 51 days in the second quarter, reflecting an improvement in cash collection speed. Following this, the collection period increased gradually, fluctuating within a narrow band of approximately 55 to 61 days through 2023. Notable peaks include 64 days in the first quarter of 2024, which corresponds to a trough in the receivables turnover ratio, indicating slower collection during this interval. In subsequent quarters, the collection period decreased to as low as 53 days in the final quarter of 2024, implying enhanced collection efforts. In the most recent quarters through the third quarter of 2025, the collection period again edged higher, settling around 61 days, suggesting a slight deterioration in collection speed.
Overall, the data reveal a pattern of relatively stable receivables management performance with mild volatility. The periods of higher turnover ratio align with shorter collection durations, indicative of more efficient receivables processes. Conversely, the increases in collection days correlate with dips in turnover ratio, suggesting occasional slowdowns. No extreme deviations or long-term upward or downward trends are evident, implying consistent management of receivables with moderate short-term cyclical variations.
Operating Cycle
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., operating cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | 143 | 142 | 145 | 142 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 55 | 56 | 51 | 56 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cycle1 | 430 | 406 | 379 | 340 | 327 | 296 | 286 | 272 | 271 | 252 | 238 | 215 | 194 | 193 | 188 | 198 | 198 | 196 | 198 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | 178 | 186 | 177 | 161 | 164 | 153 | 155 | 148 | 153 | 160 | 155 | 146 | 134 | 145 | 143 | 130 | 124 | 134 | 138 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 280 | 289 | 286 | 276 | 295 | 343 | 409 | 510 | 347 | 349 | 363 | 363 | 351 | 339 | 323 | 305 | 310 | 307 | 306 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 155 | 155 | 150 | 142 | 155 | 153 | 150 | 156 | 163 | 157 | 157 | 148 | 147 | 152 | 147 | 145 | 145 | 141 | 142 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 540 | 532 | 469 | 418 | 441 | 419 | 392 | 395 | 354 | 360 | 367 | 325 | 280 | 284 | 268 | 280 | 282 | 283 | 297 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 170 | 169 | 159 | 156 | 160 | 172 | 164 | 163 | 169 | 163 | 159 | 162 | 137 | 136 | 132 | 150 | 175 | 180 | 188 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 246 | 240 | 228 | 226 | 236 | 233 | 222 | 218 | 211 | 232 | 220 | 209 | 196 | 198 | 192 | 186 | 188 | 186 | 193 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 229 | 230 | 212 | 205 | 215 | 221 | 219 | 207 | 203 | 206 | 200 | 182 | 177 | 181 | 199 | 228 | 200 | 192 | 217 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 334 | 308 | 298 | 288 | 306 | 252 | 242 | 218 | 196 | 206 | 167 | 135 | 160 | 155 | 151 | 159 | 194 | 273 | 362 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 717 | 714 | 726 | 732 | 734 | 717 | 699 | 677 | 664 | 680 | 700 | 722 | 588 | 511 | 394 | 429 | 562 | 651 | 819 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 156 | 153 | 148 | 142 | 150 | 144 | 142 | 142 | 146 | 146 | 145 | 145 | 148 | 157 | 164 | 168 | 146 | 143 | 147 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Operating cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period
= 369 + 61 = 430
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Inventory Management
- The average inventory processing period shows a generally increasing trend over the analyzed quarters. Starting at 142 days in the first quarter of 2021, it experienced a minor dip to 129 days in the first quarter of 2022, but thereafter increased steadily to reach 369 days by the third quarter of 2025. This indicates an elongation in the time taken to process inventory, suggesting potential challenges in inventory turnover or changes in inventory management practices.
- Receivable Collection
- The average receivable collection period has remained relatively stable throughout the period, fluctuating between 51 and 64 days. There is no pronounced upward or downward trend, with periodic variations within a narrow range. This stability suggests consistent credit and collection policies, with no significant deterioration or improvement in receivables management.
- Operating Cycle
- The operating cycle, which combines the inventory processing period and the receivable collection period, mirrors the increasing trend observed in inventory turnover times. Beginning at approximately 198 days in early 2021, it declined slightly to 188 days by March 2022, then resumed an upward trajectory, reaching 430 days by the third quarter of 2025. This reflects an overall lengthening of the company’s cash conversion cycle, implying that the firm ties up more capital in working capital over time.
- Overall Analysis
- The data indicates an elongation in operational liquidity cycles driven primarily by extended inventory processing times. Receivable collection periods remain stable, thus exerting minimal impact on changes to the operating cycle. The increasing operating cycle suggests potential inefficiencies or strategic shifts that may require management attention to optimize working capital and enhance cash flow management.
Average Payables Payment Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average payables payment period calculation (quarterly data)
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover | 3.83 | 3.59 | 3.49 | 3.71 | 3.73 | 4.27 | 3.81 | 3.46 | 3.13 | 3.16 | 3.41 | 3.55 | 8.23 | 5.01 | 5.52 | 4.64 | 6.73 | 6.35 | 5.99 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average payables payment period1 | 95 | 102 | 105 | 98 | 98 | 85 | 96 | 106 | 117 | 115 | 107 | 103 | 44 | 73 | 66 | 79 | 54 | 57 | 61 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Payables Payment Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 85 | 89 | 70 | 54 | 61 | 73 | 60 | 69 | 70 | 64 | 73 | 90 | 69 | 72 | 78 | 77 | 67 | 74 | 83 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 107 | 140 | 104 | 94 | 106 | 120 | 117 | 111 | 97 | 108 | 114 | 109 | 96 | 107 | 112 | 108 | 94 | 123 | 99 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 63 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 64 | 67 | 65 | 73 | 72 | 82 | 70 | 66 | 69 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 154 | 161 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 142 | 127 | 134 | 130 | 138 | 119 | 106 | 86 | 87 | 70 | 83 | 82 | 85 | 97 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 48 | 34 | 43 | 49 | 49 | 29 | 34 | 31 | 37 | 40 | 41 | 58 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 39 | 40 | 42 | 42 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 119 | 119 | 123 | 137 | 120 | 121 | 113 | 132 | 111 | 133 | 120 | 137 | 118 | 116 | 112 | 135 | 110 | 108 | 109 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 103 | 95 | 92 | 98 | 86 | 83 | 81 | 89 | 80 | 80 | 84 | 89 | 71 | 75 | 86 | 123 | 80 | 93 | 96 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 110 | 106 | 110 | 115 | 99 | 79 | 87 | 98 | 72 | 93 | 76 | 72 | 66 | 59 | 55 | 66 | 71 | 98 | 136 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 158 | 129 | 129 | 146 | 94 | 110 | 137 | 122 | 106 | 116 | 136 | 138 | 98 | 91 | 68 | 84 | 86 | 107 | 164 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 41 | 35 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 37 | 41 | 46 | 53 | 44 | 41 | 45 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Average payables payment period = 365 ÷ Payables turnover
= 365 ÷ 3.83 = 95
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Payables Turnover Ratio
- The payables turnover ratio exhibits significant fluctuations over the observed periods. Beginning at 5.99 in the first quarter of 2021, the ratio peaks at 8.23 in the third quarter of 2022, indicating a higher frequency of payables turnover at that time. However, after this peak, a pronounced decline is observed, reaching values around 3.13 to 3.83 in the subsequent periods through to the third quarter of 2025. The overall trend suggests increasing difficulty or a strategic decision to extend payment periods in more recent quarters compared to earlier periods.
- Average Payables Payment Period (in days)
- The average payables payment period inversely mirrors the payables turnover ratio movements. Initially, payment periods start at 61 days in the first quarter of 2021, then fluctuates downward to 44 days by the third quarter of 2022. This is followed by a notable increase to over 100 days in the fourth quarter of 2022, sustained throughout the following quarters. Values generally remain elevated, peaking at 117 days in the fourth quarter of 2023 before gradual reduction, yet payment days stay above 90 in the last observed periods. This reflects a trend toward longer payment cycles, possibly indicating extended credit terms with suppliers or changes in working capital management strategies.
- Overall Trend and Insights
- The analysis reveals a shift from a relatively faster payables cycle in early periods to a significantly slower one in later periods. The increased average payment period alongside the decreased payables turnover could imply stress on liquidity or a deliberate approach to optimize cash flows by delaying outflows. The extended payment period may also impact supplier relationships and credit terms. Continuous monitoring is advisable to assess the impact of these trends on operational efficiency and financial health.
Cash Conversion Cycle
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., cash conversion cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Sep 30, 2025 | Jun 30, 2025 | Mar 31, 2025 | Dec 31, 2024 | Sep 30, 2024 | Jun 30, 2024 | Mar 31, 2024 | Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | 143 | 142 | 145 | 142 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | 55 | 56 | 51 | 56 | ||||||
| Average payables payment period | 95 | 102 | 105 | 98 | 98 | 85 | 96 | 106 | 117 | 115 | 107 | 103 | 44 | 73 | 66 | 79 | 54 | 57 | 61 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash conversion cycle1 | 335 | 304 | 274 | 242 | 229 | 211 | 190 | 166 | 154 | 137 | 131 | 112 | 150 | 120 | 122 | 119 | 144 | 139 | 137 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Conversion Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 195 | 200 | 216 | 222 | 234 | 270 | 349 | 441 | 277 | 285 | 290 | 273 | 282 | 267 | 245 | 228 | 243 | 233 | 223 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 92 | 90 | 84 | 76 | 95 | 90 | 88 | 91 | 98 | 94 | 93 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 75 | 63 | 75 | 75 | 73 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 386 | 371 | 329 | 278 | 306 | 277 | 265 | 261 | 224 | 222 | 248 | 219 | 194 | 197 | 198 | 197 | 200 | 198 | 200 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | 122 | 135 | 116 | 107 | 111 | 143 | 130 | 132 | 132 | 123 | 118 | 104 | 104 | 105 | 100 | 111 | 135 | 138 | 146 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 127 | 121 | 105 | 89 | 116 | 112 | 109 | 86 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 72 | 78 | 82 | 80 | 51 | 78 | 78 | 84 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 126 | 135 | 120 | 107 | 129 | 138 | 138 | 118 | 123 | 126 | 116 | 93 | 106 | 106 | 113 | 105 | 120 | 99 | 121 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 224 | 202 | 188 | 173 | 207 | 173 | 155 | 120 | 124 | 113 | 91 | 63 | 94 | 96 | 96 | 93 | 123 | 175 | 226 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 559 | 585 | 597 | 586 | 640 | 607 | 562 | 555 | 558 | 564 | 564 | 584 | 490 | 420 | 326 | 345 | 476 | 544 | 655 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 112 | 110 | 104 | 97 | 112 | 107 | 105 | 101 | 111 | 112 | 106 | 97 | 111 | 116 | 118 | 115 | 102 | 102 | 102 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31).
1 Q3 2025 Calculation
Cash conversion cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period – Average payables payment period
= 369 + 61 – 95 = 335
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
- Inventory Processing Period
- The average inventory processing period shows a general upward trend across the observed timeline. Starting from 142 days in the first quarter of 2021, it fluctuated slightly but steadily increased to 369 days by the third quarter of 2025. Notably, the period remained relatively stable around the mid-140s during 2021 but began to rise gradually in 2022 and accelerated significantly in 2023 and beyond, indicating a lengthening duration for inventory turnover.
- Receivable Collection Period
- The average receivable collection period remained relatively consistent throughout the timeframe, fluctuating between 51 and 64 days. Initial quarters saw periods in the low to mid-50s, followed by a modest increase toward the 60-day mark in later periods. The stability in receivable collection suggests consistent credit policies or collections effectiveness, with minor variations possibly influenced by seasonal or market conditions.
- Payables Payment Period
- The average payables payment period exhibited considerable variability. Starting at 61 days in early 2021, it initially declined to 44 days at one point but then increased markedly to reach over 100 days in multiple subsequent quarters, peaking at 117 days toward the end of 2023 before slightly decreasing again. This wide fluctuation suggests varying approaches to supplier payment terms or cash management strategies over the years, with periods of extended payment delays likely to support cash retention.
- Cash Conversion Cycle
- The cash conversion cycle experienced a general upward trend, moving from 137 days in early 2021 to 335 days by late 2025. Despite some short-term fluctuations, this trend implies a slower overall cash flow cycle, driven primarily by the lengthening inventory processing period and extended payables payment period. The increasing cash conversion cycle denotes longer working capital requirements and potential challenges in managing operational liquidity efficiently.