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: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
An analysis of the short-term operating activity ratios reveals a significant expansion in the operational cycle, primarily driven by a substantial slowdown in inventory turnover. While receivables management remains consistent, the increasing duration of inventory processing has led to a marked extension of the cash conversion cycle over the analyzed period.
- Inventory Management Efficiency
- A consistent downward trend is observed in inventory turnover, which declined from 2.83 in March 2022 to 0.95 by March 2026. This decline is mirrored by a sharp increase in the average inventory processing period, which grew from 129 days to 384 days. This indicates that products are remaining in inventory for significantly longer durations, suggesting either a strategic buildup of stock or a reduction in the velocity of sales relative to inventory levels.
- Receivables and Payables Dynamics
- Receivables turnover has remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow range between 5.68 and 6.85, with the average collection period staying consistent between 53 and 64 days. This suggests a disciplined and predictable credit collection process. In contrast, payables turnover has experienced more volatility, generally trending lower than its early peak of 8.23. The average payables payment period extended from 66 days in early 2022 to 106 days by March 2026, indicating a shift toward longer payment terms with suppliers.
- Operating and Cash Conversion Cycles
- The operating cycle has expanded drastically, increasing from 188 days to 444 days. This expansion is almost entirely attributable to the increased inventory processing time, as the receivable collection period remained flat. Consequently, the cash conversion cycle has shifted from 122 days to 338 days. Although the extension of the payables payment period provided a partial offset, it was insufficient to counter the impact of the slowing inventory turnover, resulting in a significantly longer window between the outlay of cash for resources and the receipt of cash from sales.
- Working Capital Utilization
- Working capital turnover remained stagnant around 0.90 through 2023 but showed a notable upward trajectory starting in 2024, reaching 1.56 by March 2026. This suggests an increase in the efficiency of utilizing working capital to generate revenue, despite the lengthening of the overall cash cycle.
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Turnover Ratios
Average No. Days
Inventory Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., inventory turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 392,800) | 466,000) | 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) | ||||||
| Inventories | 1,766,700) | 1,686,800) | 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) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover1 | 0.95 | 0.98 | 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 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | 3.68 | 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 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 1.91 | 1.93 | 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 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 5.20 | 5.18 | 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 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 3.90 | 4.04 | 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 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 0.85 | 0.80 | 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 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 3.51 | 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 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.13 | 2.13 | 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 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 2.65 | 2.46 | 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 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 1.57 | 1.51 | 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 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 0.74 | 0.66 | 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 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.87 | 4.85 | 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 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Inventory turnover
= (Cost of salesQ1 2026
+ Cost of salesQ4 2025
+ Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025)
÷ Inventories
= (392,800 + 466,000 + 414,800 + 407,500)
÷ 1,766,700 = 0.95
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
A significant divergence is observed between the growth of inventory levels and the cost of sales over the analyzed period. While the cost of sales has trended upward, the pace of inventory accumulation has substantially outstripped the increase in sales activity, resulting in a consistent and marked deterioration in inventory turnover efficiency.
- Cost of Sales Trends
- The cost of sales exhibited a steady upward trajectory, rising from 245.8 million in March 2022 to 392.8 million by March 2026. This growth indicates an overall increase in the volume of goods sold or an increase in production costs over the four-year period.
- Inventory Accumulation
- Inventories experienced rapid and aggressive growth, increasing from 338.9 million in March 2022 to 1,766.7 million in March 2026. The scale of this increase is disproportionate to the growth in cost of sales, suggesting a strategic buildup of stock or a decrease in the velocity of inventory movement.
- Inventory Turnover Performance
- The inventory turnover ratio shows a persistent downward trend, declining from 2.83 in March 2022 to 0.95 in March 2026. The ratio fell below the 2.0 threshold in June 2023 and dropped below 1.0 by September 2025. This sustained decline indicates that the company is requiring significantly more time to convert its inventory into sales, which may point to increasing carrying costs or potential inefficiencies in supply chain management.
The overall financial pattern reveals a transition from a relatively lean inventory management cycle to one characterized by high stock levels relative to output. The continuous decline in the turnover ratio suggests that the growth in inventory is not being matched by a commensurate increase in the cost of goods sold, leading to a diminished rate of asset utilization.
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Receivables Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., receivables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | 2,986,900) | 3,190,000) | 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) | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 1,996,100) | 2,052,800) | 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) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover1 | 6.12 | 5.85 | 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 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | 4.86 | 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 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 3.88 | 3.67 | 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 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 6.49 | 6.28 | 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 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 3.92 | 3.67 | 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 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 5.89 | 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 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 5.44 | 5.48 | 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 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 5.39 | 5.52 | 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 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 5.03 | 5.27 | 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 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.60 | 2.50 | 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 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 4.91 | 5.01 | 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 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Receivables turnover
= (RevenuesQ1 2026
+ RevenuesQ4 2025
+ RevenuesQ3 2025
+ RevenuesQ2 2025)
÷ Accounts receivable, net
= (2,986,900 + 3,190,000 + 3,076,400 + 2,964,700)
÷ 1,996,100 = 6.12
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of short-term operating activity reveals a consistent relationship between revenue growth and the management of accounts receivable over the period from March 31, 2022, to March 31, 2026. While both revenues and net receivables exhibited a general upward trajectory, the efficiency of collections remained relatively stable, indicating a scalable credit management process.
- Revenue and Receivables Growth
- Revenues increased from 2,097,500 thousand USD in March 2022 to a peak of 3,190,000 thousand USD in September 2025, before settling at 2,986,900 thousand USD in March 2026. Parallel to this growth, net accounts receivable rose from 1,292,800 thousand USD to a high of 2,052,800 thousand USD in December 2025. The proportional increase in both metrics suggests that the growth in receivables is primarily driven by higher sales volumes rather than a deterioration in collection timing.
- Receivables Turnover Trends
- The receivables turnover ratio remained largely stable, generally fluctuating between a low of 5.68 in March 2024 and a high of 6.85 in December 2024. For the majority of the observed period, the ratio hovered around the 6.0x to 6.3x range. This consistency indicates that the company maintained a steady pace of converting credit sales into cash, regardless of the increase in total revenue.
- Volatility and Efficiency Observations
- Short-term volatility is observed in 2024, where the turnover ratio dropped to its lowest point of 5.68 in March before reaching its peak of 6.85 by December. This suggests a temporary fluctuation in collection efficiency or timing within that fiscal year. Following this period, the ratio stabilized between 5.85 and 6.15 through March 2026, reflecting a return to the historical baseline of operating efficiency.
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Payables Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., payables turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 392,800) | 466,000) | 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) | ||||||
| Accounts payable | 489,300) | 461,700) | 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) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover1 | 3.44 | 3.58 | 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 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 4.02 | 5.09 | 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 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 3.38 | 3.90 | 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 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 5.68 | 5.45 | 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 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 2.47 | 2.05 | 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 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 8.72 | 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 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 2.96 | 2.52 | 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 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 4.44 | 3.72 | 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 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 3.72 | 3.07 | 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 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 2.24 | 2.24 | 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 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 8.00 | 7.27 | 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 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Payables turnover
= (Cost of salesQ1 2026
+ Cost of salesQ4 2025
+ Cost of salesQ3 2025
+ Cost of salesQ2 2025)
÷ Accounts payable
= (392,800 + 466,000 + 414,800 + 407,500)
÷ 489,300 = 3.44
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
An analysis of the short-term operating activity reveals a general expansion in both the cost of sales and the balance of accounts payable from March 2022 through March 2026. While costs have steadily climbed, the growth in accounts payable has been more pronounced, leading to a distinct shift in the payables turnover ratio over the observed period.
- Cost of Sales and Accounts Payable Trends
- Cost of sales demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, rising from 245.8 million US dollars in March 2022 to 392.8 million US dollars by March 2026, with a peak of 466 million US dollars in December 2025. Simultaneously, accounts payable increased from 173.6 million US dollars to 489.3 million US dollars. A significant inflection point occurred between September 2022 and December 2022, where accounts payable more than doubled, shifting the baseline for subsequent quarters.
- Payables Turnover Volatility and Stabilization
- The payables turnover ratio exhibited substantial volatility during 2022, reaching a peak of 8.23 in September 2022. This high ratio indicates a period of rapid payment cycles or a significant reduction in outstanding liabilities. However, a sharp decline followed, with the ratio falling to 3.55 by December 2022 and reaching a low of 3.13 by September 2023. From late 2023 through March 2026, the ratio stabilized, fluctuating within a narrow band between 3.44 and 4.27.
- Operational Implications
- The transition from a higher turnover ratio in early 2022 to a lower, more stable ratio from 2023 onward suggests a strategic shift in working capital management. The lower turnover rates indicate that the company is extending the duration of its payment cycles to suppliers. This trend suggests an increased reliance on trade credit to finance operating activities, effectively preserving cash flow as the scale of cost of sales expanded.
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Working Capital Turnover
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., working capital turnover calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 11,730,300) | 11,201,000) | 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) | ||||||
| Less: Current liabilities | 3,880,600) | 3,861,200) | 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) | ||||||
| Working capital | 7,849,700) | 7,339,800) | 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) | ||||||
| Revenues | 2,986,900) | 3,190,000) | 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) | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working capital turnover1 | 1.56 | 1.64 | 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 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Working Capital Turnover, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 5.44 | 9.85 | 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 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 5.84 | 7.83 | 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 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 3.83 | 4.13 | 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 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 3.97 | 3.19 | 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 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 4.43 | 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 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 66.14 | 62.88 | 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 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 8.15 | 4.28 | 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 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 7.47 | 10.58 | 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 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 1.14 | 1.05 | 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 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 5.87 | 3.30 | 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 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Working capital turnover
= (RevenuesQ1 2026
+ RevenuesQ4 2025
+ RevenuesQ3 2025
+ RevenuesQ2 2025)
÷ Working capital
= (2,986,900 + 3,190,000 + 3,076,400 + 2,964,700)
÷ 7,849,700 = 1.56
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analyzed period reveals a significant shift in operational efficiency, characterized by a transition from a high-liquidity position to a more optimized working capital structure that better supports revenue generation.
- Revenue Growth Trends
- Revenues exhibited a consistent upward trajectory for the majority of the observed period, rising from approximately 2.10 billion USD in March 2022 to a peak of 3.19 billion USD in December 2025. This steady growth indicates a sustained increase in top-line performance over the multi-year span.
- Working Capital Volatility
- Working capital levels increased steadily from March 2022, reaching a peak of 11.10 billion USD in September 2023. A substantial contraction occurred between December 2023 and June 2024, where working capital fell from 10.60 billion USD to 5.39 billion USD. Following this sharp decline, the balance stabilized and began a moderate recovery, ending at 7.85 billion USD by March 2026.
- Working Capital Turnover Dynamics
- The working capital turnover ratio remained relatively low and stable, fluctuating between 0.85 and 0.97 throughout 2022 and 2023, suggesting that working capital was expanding at a rate that largely offset revenue gains. A pivotal shift occurred in early 2024; as working capital decreased sharply while revenues continued to rise, the turnover ratio jumped from 1.07 in March 2024 to 1.92 by June 2024. For the subsequent period, the ratio remained elevated, maintaining a range between 1.56 and 1.92.
The data indicates a fundamental change in the company's short-term asset management starting in 2024. The significant increase in the turnover ratio suggests that the company is now generating substantially more revenue per unit of working capital, reflecting a marked improvement in operational efficiency and a leaner approach to managing current assets and liabilities.
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Average Inventory Processing Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average inventory processing period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inventory turnover | 0.95 | 0.98 | 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 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period1 | 384 | 373 | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Inventory Processing Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | 99 | 100 | 107 | 98 | 90 | 89 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 77 | 85 | 81 | 75 | 66 | 73 | 74 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 191 | 189 | 190 | 194 | 195 | 199 | 209 | 257 | 321 | 411 | 259 | 265 | 279 | 281 | 272 | 260 | 247 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 70 | 70 | 69 | 70 | 69 | 67 | 102 | 98 | 99 | 91 | 84 | 83 | 93 | 84 | 76 | 79 | 80 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 94 | 90 | 99 | 101 | 96 | 88 | 101 | 102 | 98 | 96 | 104 | 102 | 104 | 91 | 96 | 98 | 94 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 428 | 454 | 441 | 435 | 379 | 329 | 349 | 316 | 312 | 298 | 261 | 267 | 268 | 237 | 196 | 204 | 189 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 104 | 105 | 108 | 103 | 100 | 101 | 110 | 102 | 100 | 105 | 106 | 102 | 97 | 78 | 81 | 81 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 172 | 171 | 176 | 168 | 163 | 165 | 169 | 166 | 158 | 154 | 149 | 164 | 155 | 147 | 136 | 136 | 132 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 138 | 148 | 160 | 162 | 150 | 147 | 149 | 153 | 151 | 144 | 139 | 137 | 134 | 124 | 118 | 119 | 133 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 232 | 242 | 251 | 239 | 229 | 222 | 219 | 178 | 170 | 149 | 138 | 158 | 119 | 95 | 101 | 100 | 99 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 491 | 556 | 571 | 570 | 582 | 572 | 573 | 562 | 553 | 519 | 508 | 532 | 549 | 562 | 440 | 379 | 287 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 75 | 75 | 82 | 80 | 76 | 72 | 79 | 76 | 74 | 72 | 76 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 85 | 91 | 94 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average inventory processing period = 365 ÷ Inventory turnover
= 365 ÷ 0.95 = 384
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
A consistent deterioration in inventory management efficiency is observed throughout the period from March 31, 2022, to March 31, 2026. The available metrics indicate a significant and sustained slowdown in the rate at which inventory is processed and converted into revenue.
- Inventory Turnover Trend
- The inventory turnover ratio exhibits a continuous downward trajectory, decreasing from 2.83 in March 2022 to 0.95 by March 2026. This decline signifies a reduction in the frequency with which the company replenishes its inventory within a given timeframe, dropping below a 1.0 ratio by the final quarter of the analyzed period.
- Average Inventory Processing Period Expansion
- The time required to process inventory has increased monotonically, rising from 129 days in March 2022 to 384 days by March 2026. The growth in the processing period is particularly pronounced between December 2023 and March 2026, where the duration expanded from 214 days to 384 days, nearly tripling the initial processing time recorded at the start of the series.
- Correlation and Operational Insight
- A strong inverse correlation exists between the falling turnover ratio and the rising processing period. The extension of the inventory cycle to over a year suggests a substantial accumulation of stock relative to the cost of goods sold. This trend indicates a shift toward significantly slower inventory movement, which may reflect changes in production scaling, strategic stockpiling, or a decrease in demand relative to inventory levels.
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Average Receivable Collection Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average receivable collection period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Receivables turnover | 6.12 | 5.85 | 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 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average receivable collection period1 | 60 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Receivable Collection Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | 75 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 71 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 75 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 71 | 68 | 72 | 69 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 94 | 99 | 90 | 95 | 91 | 77 | 86 | 86 | 88 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 84 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 76 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 56 | 58 | 56 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 51 | 52 | 60 | 59 | 55 | 53 | 57 | 51 | 54 | 53 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 93 | 99 | 99 | 97 | 90 | 89 | 92 | 103 | 80 | 97 | 93 | 93 | 99 | 88 | 84 | 80 | 79 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 62 | 65 | 61 | 56 | 56 | 59 | 62 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 57 | 57 | 65 | 59 | 55 | 51 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 67 | 67 | 70 | 72 | 65 | 61 | 67 | 67 | 64 | 64 | 62 | 68 | 65 | 62 | 60 | 62 | 60 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 68 | 66 | 69 | 68 | 62 | 58 | 66 | 68 | 68 | 63 | 64 | 69 | 66 | 58 | 59 | 62 | 66 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 73 | 69 | 83 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 87 | 74 | 72 | 69 | 58 | 48 | 48 | 40 | 59 | 55 | 52 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 140 | 146 | 146 | 144 | 144 | 160 | 161 | 155 | 146 | 158 | 156 | 148 | 151 | 160 | 148 | 132 | 107 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 74 | 73 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 66 | 70 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average receivable collection period = 365 ÷ Receivables turnover
= 365 ÷ 6.12 = 60
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The average receivable collection period exhibits a high degree of stability over the analyzed period from March 2022 through March 2026, reflecting a consistent approach to credit management and payment collection efficiency.
- Collection Cycle Stability
- For the majority of the observed period, the collection cycle remains within a narrow range of 58 to 62 days. This consistency suggests a predictable pattern of cash inflows from customers and a disciplined application of credit terms.
- Analysis of Volatility and Extremes
- A notable peak in the collection period occurred in March 2024, where the duration extended to 64 days. This coincides with the lowest recorded receivables turnover of 5.68, indicating a temporary decrease in the speed of receivable conversion. Conversely, the highest operational efficiency was observed in December 2024, when the collection period dropped to a minimum of 53 days, corresponding with a peak receivables turnover of 6.85.
- Recent Operational Trends
- Following the efficiency peak in late 2024, a gradual increase in the collection period is observed throughout 2025, reaching 62 days by December 2025. This upward movement suggests a slight lengthening of the credit-to-cash cycle before returning to a normalized level of 60 days by March 2026.
- Correlation Between Turnover and Collection Period
- A strict inverse relationship is maintained between the receivables turnover ratio and the average collection period. The fluctuations in the turnover ratio, which varied between 5.68 and 6.85, directly drive the corresponding changes in the number of days required to collect outstanding receivables.
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Operating Cycle
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., operating cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 384 | 373 | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 60 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cycle1 | 444 | 435 | 430 | 406 | 379 | 340 | 327 | 296 | 286 | 272 | 271 | 252 | 238 | 215 | 194 | 193 | 188 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| AbbVie Inc. | — | 174 | 178 | 186 | 177 | 161 | 164 | 153 | 155 | 148 | 153 | 160 | 155 | 146 | 134 | 145 | 143 | ||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 285 | 288 | 280 | 289 | 286 | 276 | 295 | 343 | 409 | 510 | 347 | 349 | 363 | 363 | 351 | 339 | 323 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 150 | 148 | 155 | 155 | 150 | 142 | 155 | 153 | 150 | 156 | 163 | 157 | 157 | 148 | 147 | 152 | 147 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 521 | 553 | 540 | 532 | 469 | 418 | 441 | 419 | 392 | 395 | 354 | 360 | 367 | 325 | 280 | 284 | 268 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 166 | 170 | 169 | 159 | 156 | 160 | 172 | 164 | 163 | 169 | 163 | 159 | 162 | 137 | 136 | 132 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 239 | 238 | 246 | 240 | 228 | 226 | 236 | 233 | 222 | 218 | 211 | 232 | 220 | 209 | 196 | 198 | 192 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 206 | 214 | 229 | 230 | 212 | 205 | 215 | 221 | 219 | 207 | 203 | 206 | 200 | 182 | 177 | 181 | 199 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 305 | 311 | 334 | 308 | 298 | 288 | 306 | 252 | 242 | 218 | 196 | 206 | 167 | 135 | 160 | 155 | 151 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 631 | 702 | 717 | 714 | 726 | 732 | 734 | 717 | 699 | 677 | 664 | 680 | 700 | 722 | 588 | 511 | 394 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 149 | 148 | 156 | 153 | 148 | 142 | 150 | 144 | 142 | 142 | 146 | 146 | 145 | 145 | 148 | 157 | 164 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Operating cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period
= 384 + 60 = 444
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
An analysis of the short-term operating activity reveals a substantial expansion of the overall operating cycle between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2026. The total duration required to convert inventory into cash increased from 188 days to 444 days, indicating a significant slowdown in the company's operating efficiency over the period.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- A consistent and aggressive upward trend is observed in the inventory processing period. This metric grew from 129 days in March 2022 to 384 days by March 2026. The increase was nearly linear, with accelerating growth observed starting in late 2023. This trend suggests a significant accumulation of inventory or a strategic shift in production and distribution that has lengthened the time assets remain in the inventory phase.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- The period for collecting receivables remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed timeframe. Values fluctuated within a narrow band, ranging from a minimum of 53 days in December 2024 to a maximum of 64 days in March 2024. Ending at 60 days in March 2026, this metric indicates that the company has maintained a consistent and efficient credit collection process despite other operational changes.
- Operating Cycle
- The total operating cycle reflects a strong positive correlation with the inventory processing period. Because the receivable collection period remained flat, the expansion of the operating cycle from 188 days to 444 days is almost entirely attributable to the increased time spent in the inventory stage. This divergence indicates that the increase in the total cash-to-cash cycle is driven by supply chain or inventory management factors rather than customer payment delays.
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Average Payables Payment Period
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., average payables payment period calculation (quarterly data)
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payables turnover | 3.44 | 3.58 | 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 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average payables payment period1 | 106 | 102 | 95 | 102 | 105 | 98 | 98 | 85 | 96 | 106 | 117 | 115 | 107 | 103 | 44 | 73 | 66 | ||||||
| Benchmarks (no. days) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average Payables Payment Period, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 91 | 72 | 85 | 89 | 70 | 54 | 61 | 73 | 60 | 69 | 70 | 64 | 73 | 90 | 69 | 72 | 78 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 108 | 94 | 107 | 140 | 104 | 94 | 106 | 120 | 117 | 111 | 97 | 108 | 114 | 109 | 96 | 107 | 112 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 64 | 67 | 63 | 65 | 66 | 66 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 64 | 67 | 65 | 73 | 72 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 148 | 178 | 154 | 161 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 142 | 127 | 134 | 130 | 138 | 119 | 106 | 86 | 87 | 70 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 42 | 48 | 34 | 43 | 49 | 49 | 29 | 34 | 31 | 37 | 40 | 41 | 58 | 33 | 31 | 32 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 123 | 145 | 119 | 119 | 123 | 137 | 120 | 121 | 113 | 132 | 111 | 133 | 120 | 137 | 118 | 116 | 112 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 82 | 98 | 103 | 95 | 92 | 98 | 86 | 83 | 81 | 89 | 80 | 80 | 84 | 89 | 71 | 75 | 86 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 98 | 119 | 110 | 106 | 110 | 115 | 99 | 79 | 87 | 98 | 72 | 93 | 76 | 72 | 66 | 59 | 55 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 163 | 163 | 158 | 129 | 129 | 146 | 94 | 110 | 137 | 122 | 106 | 116 | 136 | 138 | 98 | 91 | 68 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 46 | 50 | 44 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 38 | 37 | 37 | 41 | 35 | 34 | 39 | 48 | 37 | 41 | 46 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Average payables payment period = 365 ÷ Payables turnover
= 365 ÷ 3.44 = 106
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The analysis of short-term operating activity reveals a significant shift in the management of accounts payable from March 2022 through March 2026. The overall trajectory indicates a deliberate extension of the payment cycle, reflecting a change in working capital management and the timing of cash outflows to suppliers.
- Payables Turnover Ratio Trends
- A general decline in the payables turnover ratio is observed, moving from an initial high of 5.52 in March 2022 to a stabilized range between 3.13 and 4.27 across the subsequent years. This downward trend indicates that the entity is cycling through its accounts payable less frequently, effectively slowing the rate at which obligations are settled relative to the volume of purchases.
- Average Payables Payment Period Dynamics
- The payment period experienced substantial volatility in 2022, characterized by a sharp decrease to 44 days in September 2022 followed by a rapid increase to 103 days by December 2022. Following this pivot, the payment period entered a sustained elevated phase, peaking at 117 days in September 2023. From 2024 through March 2026, the duration remained consistently higher than the 2022 baseline, fluctuating primarily between 85 and 106 days.
- Working Capital Implications
- The transition from a shorter payment window (averaging 66-73 days in early 2022) to a longer window (averaging approximately 100 days from 2023 onward) suggests a strategic shift to preserve liquidity. By extending the average payables payment period, the entity increases its days payable outstanding, which allows for the retention of cash for a longer duration before disbursement to creditors.
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Cash Conversion Cycle
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc., cash conversion cycle calculation (quarterly data)
No. days
| Mar 31, 2026 | Dec 31, 2025 | 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 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selected Financial Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average inventory processing period | 384 | 373 | 369 | 345 | 320 | 287 | 267 | 238 | 222 | 214 | 213 | 192 | 177 | 156 | 136 | 135 | 129 | ||||||
| Average receivable collection period | 60 | 62 | 61 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 60 | 58 | 64 | 58 | 58 | 60 | 61 | 59 | 58 | 58 | 59 | ||||||
| Average payables payment period | 106 | 102 | 95 | 102 | 105 | 98 | 98 | 85 | 96 | 106 | 117 | 115 | 107 | 103 | 44 | 73 | 66 | ||||||
| Short-term Activity Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash conversion cycle1 | 338 | 333 | 335 | 304 | 274 | 242 | 229 | 211 | 190 | 166 | 154 | 137 | 131 | 112 | 150 | 120 | 122 | ||||||
| Benchmarks | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Conversion Cycle, Competitors2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amgen Inc. | 194 | 216 | 195 | 200 | 216 | 222 | 234 | 270 | 349 | 441 | 277 | 285 | 290 | 273 | 282 | 267 | 245 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 86 | 81 | 92 | 90 | 84 | 76 | 95 | 90 | 88 | 91 | 98 | 94 | 93 | 81 | 82 | 79 | 75 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly & Co. | 373 | 375 | 386 | 371 | 329 | 278 | 306 | 277 | 265 | 261 | 224 | 222 | 248 | 219 | 194 | 197 | 198 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences Inc. | — | 124 | 122 | 135 | 116 | 107 | 111 | 143 | 130 | 132 | 132 | 123 | 118 | 104 | 104 | 105 | 100 | ||||||
| Johnson & Johnson | 116 | 93 | 127 | 121 | 105 | 89 | 116 | 112 | 109 | 86 | 100 | 99 | 100 | 72 | 78 | 82 | 80 | ||||||
| Merck & Co. Inc. | 124 | 116 | 126 | 135 | 120 | 107 | 129 | 138 | 138 | 118 | 123 | 126 | 116 | 93 | 106 | 106 | 113 | ||||||
| Pfizer Inc. | 207 | 192 | 224 | 202 | 188 | 173 | 207 | 173 | 155 | 120 | 124 | 113 | 91 | 63 | 94 | 96 | 96 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 468 | 539 | 559 | 585 | 597 | 586 | 640 | 607 | 562 | 555 | 558 | 564 | 564 | 584 | 490 | 420 | 326 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. | 103 | 98 | 112 | 110 | 104 | 97 | 112 | 107 | 105 | 101 | 111 | 112 | 106 | 97 | 111 | 116 | 118 | ||||||
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2026-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).
1 Q1 2026 Calculation
Cash conversion cycle = Average inventory processing period + Average receivable collection period – Average payables payment period
= 384 + 60 – 106 = 338
2 Click competitor name to see calculations.
The cash conversion cycle exhibits a substantial long-term expansion, increasing from 122 days in March 2022 to 338 days by March 2026. This upward trajectory reflects a significant slowing in the speed at which the entity converts its investments in inventory and other resources into cash flows from sales.
- Average Inventory Processing Period
- A consistent and pronounced increase is observed in the inventory processing period, which rose from 129 days in March 2022 to 384 days by March 2026. This steady climb represents the primary driver of the overall extension of the cash conversion cycle, indicating a growing duration of time before inventory is converted into sales.
- Average Receivable Collection Period
- The collection of receivables remained remarkably stable throughout the analyzed period. The duration consistently fluctuated within a narrow range, typically between 53 and 64 days, suggesting a consistent efficiency in credit and collection processes despite the significant changes in other operating ratios.
- Average Payables Payment Period
- Payables payment duration showed notable volatility, specifically a dip to 44 days in September 2022 followed by a peak of 117 days in September 2023. From late 2023 through March 2026, the payment period settled into a higher range between 85 and 106 days, indicating a general shift toward extending payment terms to suppliers compared to the baseline observed in early 2022.
- Cash Conversion Cycle Synthesis
- The overall expansion of the cash conversion cycle is almost entirely attributable to the escalation of the inventory processing period. While the general increase in the payables payment period provided a partial offset by delaying cash outflows, it was insufficient to neutralize the impact of the slower inventory turnover. As a result, the operating liquidity cycle has lengthened significantly over the analyzed timeframe.
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