Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NASDAQ: VRTX) is a biotechnology company focused on developing treatments for serious diseases, with its core business anchored in cystic fibrosis therapies. Shares recently traded around $452 per share, giving the company a market capitalization of roughly $114.7B.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals has built a reputation for high margins, strong cash generation, and a net cash balance sheet. Looking at who owns Vertex Pharmaceuticals and recent insider trades helps show how large investors and company leadership appear to be positioning around the stock today.
Who Are Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Top Shareholders?
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ shareholder base is led by large institutional investors that tend to hold through market cycles, which can help keep long-term ownership relatively stable. Recent filings show active managers adjusting positions in both directions rather than signaling a clear shift.
- Capital World Investors: 25,910,587 shares (10.21%), $11.72B value. Cut 2,821,556 shares (-9.82%).
- The Vanguard Group: 24,098,786 shares (9.50%), $10.90B value. Added 240,666 shares (+1.01%).
- Capital Research Global Investors: 16,553,281 shares (6.52%), $7.48B value. Added 444,990 shares (+2.76%).
- BlackRock Institutional Trust Company: 14,470,200 shares (5.70%), $6.54B value. Added 317,502 shares (+2.24%).
- State Street Investment Management (US): 11,606,000 shares (4.57%), $5.25B value. Cut 169,227 shares (-1.44%).
- Geode Capital Management: 5,973,745 shares (2.35%), $2.70B value. Added 44,998 shares (+0.76%).
- Invesco Capital Management (QQQ Trust): 5,374,674 shares (2.12%), $2.43B value. Cut 14,688 shares (-0.27%).
- Wellington Management: 4,772,042 shares (1.88%), $2.16B value. Cut 41,344 shares (-0.86%).
- Capital International Investors: 4,689,059 shares (1.85%), $2.12B value. Added 2,053,156 shares (+77.89%).
- AllianceBernstein L.P.: 4,522,586 shares (1.78%), $2.04B value. Added 144,266 shares (+3.30%).
- JPMorgan Asset Management: 4,387,658 shares (1.73%), $1.98B value. Added 363,280 shares (+9.03%).
For investors, this mix of trimming and accumulation suggests Vertex Pharmaceuticals remains a core institutional holding, though large managers appear selective at current valuation levels.
Hedge Fund Highlights
One notable move last quarter came from Two Sigma Advisers, founded by John Overdeck, which increased its position in Vertex Pharmaceuticals by over 1,100%. While the dollar value remains relatively modest, the scale of the increase suggests it appears the firm may be leaning more positively on Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ risk-reward profile.
Another active buyer was Tang Capital Management, led by founder Kevin Tang, which lifted its Vertex Pharmaceuticals stake by roughly 700%. The firm now holds more than $31M worth of shares, indicating it looks like Tang Capital may be positioning around long-term pipeline value.
Capula Management, founded by Yan Huo, also sharply increased exposure, boosting its position by nearly 650%. Although the position size remains small, the magnitude of the increase suggests it appears the firm saw an attractive entry point.
Meanwhile, Citadel Advisors, founded by Ken Griffin, raised its Vertex Pharmaceuticals holdings by over 500%, building a position worth roughly $68M, which may reflect a tactical allocation rather than a high-conviction bet.
For investors, hedge fund activity appears constructive but measured, with selective accumulation rather than broad-based buying.
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Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ Recent Insider Trades
Insider trades can offer context on how executives and directors may be managing personal exposure to the stock. Recent filings for Vertex Pharmaceuticals show selling activity across several insiders, with limited buying.
- Jeffrey M. Leiden (Officer and Director): Sold over 60,000 shares at prices ranging from ~$440 to ~$455; recorded 63,781 shares at $86.52.
- Charles F. Wagner Jr. (Officer): Sold 14,000 shares at prices between ~$451 and ~$461.
- Jonathan Prim Biller (Officer): Sold 347 shares at approximately $449.
For investors, insider activity appears cautious, with sales spread across price levels and filings that may relate to compensation or personal portfolio management rather than a clear signal on Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ future outlook.
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What the Ownership & Insider Trade Data Tell Us
Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ ownership remains anchored by large institutional investors, providing stability. Hedge fund positioning shows selective accumulation alongside trimming, while insider activity leans toward selling but does not appear aggressive relative to total ownership.
For investors, the combined data suggests Vertex Pharmaceuticals continues to be viewed as a high-quality business, though both insiders and active managers appear measured at current valuation levels rather than strongly directional.
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