Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)

Vertex has gained about 4% in the past week, its steadiest climb in over a month.

What is going on right now?

The price sits right around $521, which is close to where it was trading a couple of months ago. It has been drifting higher this week on slightly quieter trading than usual.

How is the business itself doing?

Vertex makes nearly all its money from one family of medicines for cystic fibrosis, and that business keeps growing: revenue rose about 12.5% and profit margins sit around 35%. It carries very little debt and funds its own growth.

What stands out?

Almost everything rides on one product line. The company is expanding into sickle cell disease and pain, but cystic fibrosis still pays the bills.

What comes next?

Its next earnings report lands on November 2, and it will show whether the newer treatments are starting to add meaningful revenue alongside the cystic fibrosis franchise.