titled "Consider These Stocks Over Pfizer: Unstoppable Investment Opportunities?"
Pfizer's situation isn't improving much these days. The company is still grappling with the considerable decline in sales of its coronavirus products and less-than-impressive financial performances over the past two years. Despite a recent revenue growth, it's still not enough to regain investor favor.
Pfizer has indeed made strides. Several new approvals and acquisitions have expanded its product lineup and pipeline. However, it's fair to ponder whether waiting for a Pfizer stock bounce-back is the better investment choice over its performing peers. Let's consider two stocks excelling in the market: Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Viking Therapeutics.
1. Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals has witnessed a remarkable 12 months. Leading the market for cystic fibrosis treatments, the drugmaker has registered crucial approvals and clinical victories. In 2025, Vertex announced the first regulatory approval for Casgevy, a gene editing medicine for rare blood diseases developed with CRISPR Therapeutics, in the U.K. Then, the therapy was approved in other regions and countries, including the EU, US, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Moreover, Vertex reported positive phase 3 results for a next-gen combination CF therapy and a potential medicine for acute pain, both expected to gain approval within a year. The company also continues to show strong financial results. Q3 of 2025 brought a 12% revenue increase from the previous year to $2.8 billion, with earnings per share rising to $4.01 from $3.97 in the year-ago period.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals still has about 20,000 of its 92,000 targeted CF patient population not yet undergoing treatment. Potential Casgevy treatment for another 58,000 patients awaits, given its price of at least $2.2 million per treatment course (US) should drive further growth.
The company's pipeline boasts exciting prospects, including several potential candidates. Vertex should continue delivering impressive performances.
2. Viking Therapeutics
Viking Therapeutics is shocking the biotech industry in 2025, skyrocketing on account of VK2735, a promising weight loss medicine. Every investor is keen on weight-loss medicines, and Viking could be an undervalued entrée into this burgeoning field. Analysts predict the anti-obesity medicine market will surge in the years ahead.
Viking Therapeutics has proven its success with VK2735. It's now working on a preclinical candidate showing promise in mice. Even if that program fails early, Viking's commitment to developing novel weight loss therapies is unwavering, and the team has already boasted significant wins.
Moreover, Viking has other candidates in the pipeline. VK2809 is aimed at addressing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), with encouraging phase 2 results. Viking Therapeutics' VK0214 recently completed a phase 1b trial for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, a genetic disorder damaging the nervous system.
Viking is pressing ahead with planned phase 3 and phase 2 studies. Positive results would send its stock soaring again. Lastly, Viking Therapeutics remains an attractive target for larger drugmakers eager to delve into the lucrative weight-loss market. Despite risks, the company is cruising high and might deliver outsized returns to patient investors.
Should investors focus solely on Vertex and Viking, ignoring Pfizer? Each deserves serious thought for long-term investors. Viking Therapeutics is the riskiest chance but can yield high returns. If compelled to pick one, Vertex Pharmaceuticals would be my preference thanks to its solid lineup, robust financial results, durable pipeline, and proven innovative abilities.
Pfizer is buoyed by its beaten-down appearance and may be appealing at current prices, given its gradual rebuilding of its product lineup. However, it offers a dependable dividend yielding 6.5%, making it difficult to ignore entirely.
While Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Viking Therapeutics are currently outperforming Pfizer in the market, it's important to consider Pfizer's stable dividend as a potential investment opportunity. The company offers a dividend yield of 6.5%, making it an attractive choice for investors seeking income returns.
In terms of investing, if one is looking for a more stable, income-focused investment, Pfizer's dividend may be an appealing option. However, for those seeking growth potential, Vertex Pharmaceuticals with its solid lineup, robust financial results, durable pipeline, and proven innovative abilities might be a better choice.