Based on the aggregated intelligence of 180,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, drug developer Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX 0.39%) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Vertex and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Vertex facts

Headquarters (founded)

Cambridge, Mass. (1989)

Market Cap

$9.7 billion

Industry

Biotechnology

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$1.8 billion

Management

Chairman/CEO Jeffrey Leiden
CFO Ian Smith

Return on Equity (average, past 3 years)

(12%)

Cash / Debt

$1.3 billion / $400 million

Competitors

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY 0.67%)
Merck
(MRK -0.37%)
PTC Therapeutics

Sources: S&P Capital IQ; Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 92% of the 741 members who have rated Vertex believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward.

Just last week, one of those bulls, All-Star zzlangerhans, highlighted the stock as an intriguing pick for Fools with a stomach for risk:

Trading Vertex now is like the old days, when the valuation rose and fell based on prospects rather than sales. It's pretty clear that Incivek isn't the yellow brick road to sustained profitability that it appeared to be a couple of years ago. ... I still like the potential of interferon-free Incivek regimens, the cystic fibrosis franchise, and late stage trials of JAK inhibitor VX-509 in [rheumatoid arthritis] and influenza.

If you want market-thumping returns, you need to put together the best portfolio you can. Of course, despite a strong four-star rating, Vertex may not be your top choice.

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Want to see how well (or not so well) the stocks in this series are performing? Follow the TrackPoisedTo CAPS account.