Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 249,548	$ (36,102)
Changes in other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on marketable securities, net of tax	3,534	229
Unrealized (losses) on foreign currency forward contracts, net of tax	(6,681)	(5,212)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,001)	(1,740)
Total changes in other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,148)	(6,723)
Comprehensive income (loss)	244,400	(42,825)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,792)	(5,529)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Vertex	$ 242,608	$ (48,354)