Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) Stock Buyback History
TTM buyback yield 1.70% · Shareholder yield (TTM) 1.70%.
TTM buyback yield
1.70%
Shareholder yield (TTM)
1.70%
5Y share count change
-2.0%
TTM buyback spend
$1.93B
SBC coverage (TTM)
2.81x
YoY change in spend
+71.4%
5Y CAGR of spend
+30.2%
Peak year (2025)
$2.02B
Cumulative spend
$6.13B
TTM metrics calculated from the four most recent reported quarters, ending (reported ).
Key takeaways
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) repurchased about $1.93B of stock over the trailing twelve months.
- Diluted share count is down 2.0% over the last ~5 fiscal years — buybacks are net-shrinking the share base.
- TTM buyback ÷ stock-based-comp ratio of 2.81× — repurchases more than cover SBC dilution.
- Cash buyback spend has compounded at +30.2% per year over the latest 5-year window.
- TTM repurchases used about 52% of free cash flow remaining after dividends.
Buyback context per fiscal year
Annual repurchases alongside stock-based compensation, diluted share count and the year-over-year change — useful for SBC-coverage and dilution-offset reading at a glance.
| Year | Buybacks | SBC | Net | Shares (dil.) | YoY shares | Buyback yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.02B | $0.00 | $2.02B | 0.26B | 0.0% | 1.75% |
| 2024 | $1.18B | $698.50M | $478.60M | 0.26B | -1.0% | 1.14% |
| 2023 | $427.60M | $581.20M | −$153.60M | 0.26B | 0.5% | 0.41% |
| 2022 | $0.00 | $491.30M | −$491.30M | 0.26B | -0.3% | — |
| 2021 | $1.43B | $441.40M | $984.00M | 0.26B | -1.3% | 2.55% |
| 2020 | $539.14M | $429.50M | $109.64M | 0.26B | 1.0% | 0.88% |
| 2019 | $192.01M | $360.49M | −$168.47M | 0.26B | 0.6% | 0.34% |
| 2018 | $350.04M | $325.05M | $25.00M | 0.26B | 2.4% | 0.83% |
| 2017 | $0.00 | $290.74M | −$290.74M | 0.25B | 3.5% | — |
| 2016 | $0.00 | $237.71M | −$237.71M | 0.24B | 1.4% | — |
| 2015 | $0.00 | $231.03M | −$231.03M | 0.24B | 2.6% | — |
| 2014 | $0.00 | $177.54M | −$177.54M | 0.24B | 4.6% | — |
| 2013 | $0.00 | $127.30M | −$127.30M | 0.22B | 6.1% | — |
| 2012 | $0.00 | $114.28M | −$114.28M | 0.21B | 1.5% | — |
| 2011 | $0.00 | $126.75M | −$126.75M | 0.21B | 4.2% | — |
| 2010 | $0.00 | $97.68M | −$97.68M | 0.20B | 15.7% | — |
| 2009 | $0.00 | $86.72M | −$86.72M | 0.17B | 23.3% | — |
| 2008 | $0.00 | $63.01M | −$63.01M | 0.14B | 9.0% | — |
| 2007 | $0.00 | $59.41M | −$59.41M | 0.13B | 13.9% | — |
| 2006 | $0.00 | $39.14M | −$39.14M | 0.11B | 26.9% | — |
| 2005 | $0.00 | $7.53M | −$7.53M | 0.09B | 13.6% | — |
| 2004 | $0.00 | $4.17M | −$4.17M | 0.08B | 2.0% | — |
| 2003 | $0.00 | $3.15M | −$3.15M | 0.08B | 1.7% | — |
| 2002 | $0.00 | $1.50M | −$1.50M | 0.08B | 1.7% | — |
| 2001 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.07B | 10.0% | — |
| 2000 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.07B | 32.6% | — |
| 1999 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.05B | 0.9% | — |
| 1998 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.05B | 4.3% | — |
| 1997 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.05B | 29.8% | — |
| 1996 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | 0.04B | — | — |
| 1995 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1994 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1993 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1992 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
| 1991 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
Cash buyback spend (USD) — annual & quarterly history
Trailing-twelve-month and per-period cash repurchases for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) from the consolidated cash flow statement (line: common stock repurchased), in USD as filed.
Cash buyback spend over time for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Per-period cash repurchases
Cash buyback spend annual + quarterly history for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Buyback Spend | YoY | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2.02B | +71.4% | +$840.30M | ||
| 2024 | $1.18B | +175.3% | +$749.50M | ||
| 2023 | $427.60M | — | +$427.60M | ||
| 2022 | $0 | -100.0% | -$1.43B | ||
| 2021 | $1.43B | +164.4% | +$886.26M | ||
| 2020 | $539.14M | +180.8% | +$347.12M | ||
| 2019 | $192.01M | -45.1% | -$158.03M | ||
| 2018 | $350.04M | — | +$350.04M | ||
| 2017 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2016 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2015 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2014 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2013 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2012 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2011 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2010 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2009 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2008 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2007 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2006 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2005 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2004 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2003 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2002 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2001 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 2000 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1999 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1998 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1997 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1996 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1995 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1994 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1993 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1992 | $0 | — | $0 | ||
| 1991 | $0 | — | — |
In 2025, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) buyback spend totalled $2.02B – surged 71.4% year-over-year.
Through 2020–2025 (5 years), Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend delivered a +30.2% annualised rate; sustaining 3 straight years of year-over-year growth.
The dataset's maximum buyback spend sits at $2.02B (2025); the minimum reading of $0 dates to 1991.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) sits 5th of 8 Healthcare peers we track on this metric, against a peer median of $2.75B.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Buyback Spend 2025: $2.02B
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2025 was $2.02B, surged 71.4% from 2024. This figure represents the highest annual value in the available history.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Buyback Spend 2024: $1.18B
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2024 was $1.18B, surged 175.3% from 2023.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Buyback Spend 2023: $427.60M
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2023 was $427.60M.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Buyback Spend 2022: $0
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2022 was $0, plunged 100.0% below 2021.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Buyback Spend 2021: $1.43B
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2021 was $1.43B.
See more financial history for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Sector peers by buyback spend
Companies in the same sector as Vertex Pharmaceuticals, ranked by their latest buyback spend.
| Company | Buyback Spend | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) | $5.95B | Healthcare |
| UnitedHealth Group (UNH) | $5.54B | Healthcare |
| Merck & Co. (MRK) | $5.08B | Healthcare |
| Eli Lilly (LLY) | $4.11B | Healthcare |
| Novo Nordisk (NVO) | $1.39B | Healthcare |
| AbbVie (ABBV) | $980.00M | Healthcare |
| AstraZeneca (AZN) | $719.66M | Healthcare |
| Amgen (AMGN) | $0 | Healthcare |
Share count history
Diluted weighted-average shares drive the EPS denominator and per-share capital-return maths. A falling diluted share count means buybacks are outpacing dilution from stock-based compensation and option exercises.
Diluted vs basic shares (annual)
Year-over-year change in diluted shares
Green is fewer shares vs the prior fiscal year (net repurchase); red is growth (dilution). The earliest year shown has no prior year to compare.
Dividend & buyback yield over time
Stacked annual yields — buyback yield (TTM cash repurchases ÷ market cap) plus dividend yield from the same fiscal-year-end key-metrics period — show how total cash return per dollar of equity has evolved.
Buybacks vs stock-based compensation
Annual cash repurchases set against stock-based compensation. Coverage above 1× means buybacks fully offset the equity dilution from SBC. TTM coverage: 2.81×.
Capital allocation mix
How Vertex Pharmaceuticals splits cash returned to shareholders between dividends and buybacks, plus the headroom on free cash flow that's still available for additional repurchases.
Buybacks vs dividends (share of cash returned)
Buyback capacity (TTM)
Free cash flow minus dividends paid versus actual TTM repurchases — the headroom bar shows how much of post-dividend FCF is still being deployed elsewhere.
Headroom $3.71B (TTM FCF − TTM dividends, clamped at zero).
Data & methodology
Where do buyback, dividend and compensation figures come from?
Cash buyback spend (common stock repurchased), dividends paid and stock-based compensation come from Vertex Pharmaceuticals's consolidated cash flow statements — quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, in USD as reported.
How are diluted shares and yields calculated?
Diluted weighted-average share counts come from the income statement (EPS denominator). Trailing twelve-month (TTM) aggregates sum the four most recent reported quarters. Buyback and dividend yields divide TTM cash flows by market capitalisation at the latest quarter-end.
How is buyback capacity defined?
Capacity compares TTM repurchases to free cash flow after dividends: operating cash flow minus capital expenditure, minus dividends paid, versus actual buybacks over the same trailing window.
Is this investment advice?
No. Figures are for informational and educational use only. Past buybacks and dividends do not predict future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vertex Pharmaceuticals buy back its own stock?
Yes, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has repurchased shares in recent periods. See the history table and charts on this page for amounts and trends.
How much does Vertex Pharmaceuticals spend on share buybacks?
Trailing twelve months (TTM) buyback spend is about $1.93B (sum of the last four quarterly cash-flow periods in our data). Figures are illustrative; verify in filings.
What is Vertex Pharmaceuticals's buyback yield?
TTM buyback yield is about 1.70% (TTM buyback spend divided by market cap at the latest quarter-end in our data).
What is Vertex Pharmaceuticals's shareholder yield?
Shareholder yield combines dividend yield and buyback yield. For the latest period we show approximately 1.70% combined (TTM-based where available).
Is Vertex Pharmaceuticals diluting shareholders?
Compare stock-based compensation (SBC) to buybacks in the chart above. Net effect varies by year; see annual buyback vs SBC bars and the history table.
How has Vertex Pharmaceuticals's share count changed?
Diluted weighted average shares changed by about -2.0% over roughly five fiscal years (annual income statement data).
What is Vertex Pharmaceuticals's buyback spend?
Latest reported buyback spend for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) is $1.93B (period ending March 31, 2026).
How has Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend changed year-over-year?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) buyback spend changed +71.4% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) buyback spend compound annual growth rate is +30.2% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend hit its highest annual value?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend reached its highest annual value of $2.02B in 2025.
What was Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2024?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) buyback spend in 2024 was $1.18B.
What was Vertex Pharmaceuticals buyback spend in 2025?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) buyback spend in 2025 was $2.02B.
Explore more
VRTX Overview
Company profile, financial tools, and key metrics
VRTX Revenue Counter
Earns $388.61 every second. See per minute, hour, and day.
VRTX Earnings Counter
Earns $137.57 per second net profit. See per minute, hour, and day.
VRTX Economic Scale
Exceeds Somalia, Fed. Rep.'s GDP. Compare with world economies.
VRTX What If Invested
What if you had invested $1,000? See historical returns from any date.
VRTX How It Makes Money
Discover visual breakdown of $12.26B in revenue — where it comes from and where it goes.
VRTX Stock Seasonality
Best and worst months to invest. Historical monthly returns heatmap.
VRTX Price Target Scenarios
Model bear, base, and bull cases with EPS growth and exit P/E — pre-filled from analysts and history.
VRTX Daily Price Character
Explosive · 48.3% historical win rate (green days). Streaks & record days.
VRTX Stock Split History
1 split on record. Dates, ratios, and cumulative multiple.
VRTX Financials
Revenue, EPS, EBITDA, market cap, debt and balance sheet history with annual and quarterly data.