Amgen Inc.

(NASDAQ Global Select)
Slightly Bullish +25

Amgen vs. Vertex Pharmaceuticals: Which Healthcare Stock Is a Better Buy for 2027?

πŸ“Š Amgen reported revenue of approximately $38.9 billion and net income of nearly $9.4 billion for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2026.

🏦 The company maintained a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 6.3x and generated free cash flow of about $8.1 billion as of Dec. 31, 2025.

πŸ“ˆ Amgen is projected to achieve roughly 3% revenue growth in fiscal 2026, reaching around $37.8 billion despite being a mature business.

🀝 Amgen reached a deal with the U.S. government to lower prices on key drugs Aimovig and Amjevita in exchange for tariff exemptions for three years.

🏭 Nearly 77% of Amgen's revenues in 2025 came from sales to three large distributors: McKesson, Cencora, and Cardinal Health.

πŸ’Š The company possesses six drug franchises that generate $1 billion-plus in annual revenue, providing a stable cash flow base.

πŸ“‰ Amgen is characterized as an affordable option for value-conscious investors based on its significantly lower Forward P/E and P/S ratios.

Bullish Signals
  • Amgen maintains a diversified portfolio across oncology and rare diseases, providing a steady business model with six drug franchises generating over $1 billion in annual revenue each.
  • The company is projected to achieve roughly 3% revenue growth in fiscal 2026, reaching around $37.8 billion, supported by its massive scale and cash generation capabilities.
  • Amgen secured a strategic deal with the U.S. government to lower prices on key drugs Aimovig and Amjevita in exchange for exemption from pharmaceutical tariffs for three years.
Risk Factors
  • The company faces substantial competition from biosimilars and generics, which can erode the market share of its older products.
  • Operational risks include a heavy reliance on specific manufacturing facilities in Puerto Rico and California.
Full Analysis
The article compares Amgen (AMGN) and Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), highlighting Amgen's diversified business model across oncology and rare diseases versus Vertex's high-growth specialization in genetic conditions. It notes that Amgen sells primarily through three large distributors, which accounted for nearly 77% of its revenues in 2025, adding a layer of customer concentration risk to the business. Financial data reveals that in the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2026, Amgen generated revenue of approximately $38.9 billion and net income of nearly $9.4 billion. The company maintains a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 6.3x and produced free cash flow of about $8.1 billion for the fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2025. Amgen faces competition from biosimilars and pricing pressure but is positioned to achieve roughly 3% revenue growth in 2026, reaching around $37.8 billion. The company recently reached a deal with the U.S. government to lower prices on key drugs like Aimovig and Amjevita in exchange for exemption from pharmaceutical tariffs for three years. Analysts view Amgen as an affordable option for value-conscious investors due to its lower Forward P/E and P/S ratios compared to Vertex. While not a fast-growing company by sales, its scale allows it to pursue future growth through acquisitions, supported by six drug franchises generating over $1 billion in annual revenue each.