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Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) Competitors

Novo Nordisk A/S logo
$38.81 +0.01 (+0.03%)
Closing price 09/25/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$38.80 -0.02 (-0.04%)
As of 09/25/2026 08:00 PM Eastern
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NVO vs. JNJ, MRK, NVS, AZN, and PFE

Should you buy Novo Nordisk A/S stock or one of its competitors? Novo Nordisk A/S's main competitors and comparable companies include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), Novartis (NVS), Astrazeneca (AZN), and Pfizer (PFE). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size. These companies are all part of the "pharmaceuticals" industry.

How does Novo Nordisk A/S compare to Johnson & Johnson?

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, media sentiment, profitability, risk, dividends, earnings and institutional ownership.

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 28 more articles in the media than Johnson & Johnson. MarketBeat recorded 78 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 50 mentions for Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson's average media sentiment score of 0.81 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.43 indicating that Johnson & Johnson is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Johnson & Johnson
30 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
13 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Novo Nordisk A/S
36 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
15 Neutral mention(s)
12 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

69.6% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Johnson & Johnson shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Novo Nordisk A/S has a net margin of 35.36% compared to Johnson & Johnson's net margin of 21.48%. Novo Nordisk A/S's return on equity of 58.61% beat Johnson & Johnson's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Johnson & Johnson21.48% 32.42% 13.35%
Novo Nordisk A/S 35.36%58.61%20.91%

Johnson & Johnson presently has a consensus price target of $274.13, indicating a potential upside of 0.94%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus price target of $64.94, indicating a potential upside of 67.31%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Novo Nordisk A/S is more favorable than Johnson & Johnson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Johnson & Johnson
0 Sell rating(s)
6 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.80
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11

Johnson & Johnson pays an annual dividend of $5.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Johnson & Johnson pays out 62.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Johnson & Johnson has increased its dividend for 64 consecutive years. Novo Nordisk A/S is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Johnson & Johnson has a beta of 0.24, suggesting that its stock price is 76% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Novo Nordisk A/S has a beta of 0.74, suggesting that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the broader market.

Johnson & Johnson has higher revenue and earnings than Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Johnson & Johnson, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Johnson & Johnson$97.93B6.68$26.80B$8.6331.47
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B3.70$15.51B$4.099.49

Summary

Johnson & Johnson beats Novo Nordisk A/S on 12 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Novo Nordisk A/S compare to Merck & Co., Inc.?

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) and Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, media sentiment, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.

Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a consensus price target of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 67.31%. Merck & Co., Inc. has a consensus price target of $154.24, suggesting a potential upside of 3.69%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Novo Nordisk A/S is more favorable than Merck & Co., Inc..

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11
Merck & Co., Inc.
0 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
17 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.71

Merck & Co., Inc. has higher revenue and earnings than Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Merck & Co., Inc., indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B3.70$15.51B$4.099.49
Merck & Co., Inc.$65.01B5.65$18.25B$1.25119.00

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 45 more articles in the media than Merck & Co., Inc.. MarketBeat recorded 78 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 33 mentions for Merck & Co., Inc.. Merck & Co., Inc.'s average media sentiment score of 0.70 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.43 indicating that Merck & Co., Inc. is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novo Nordisk A/S
36 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
15 Neutral mention(s)
12 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Merck & Co., Inc.
19 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Merck & Co., Inc. pays an annual dividend of $3.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Merck & Co., Inc. pays out 272.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Merck & Co., Inc. has raised its dividend for 14 consecutive years. Merck & Co., Inc. is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Novo Nordisk A/S has a beta of 0.74, meaning that its share price is 26% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Merck & Co., Inc. has a beta of 0.21, meaning that its share price is 79% less volatile than the broader market.

11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 76.1% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.2% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Novo Nordisk A/S has a net margin of 35.36% compared to Merck & Co., Inc.'s net margin of 4.77%. Novo Nordisk A/S's return on equity of 58.61% beat Merck & Co., Inc.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Novo Nordisk A/S35.36% 58.61% 20.91%
Merck & Co., Inc. 4.77%16.73%6.13%

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Novo Nordisk A/S on 11 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Novo Nordisk A/S compare to Novartis?

Novartis (NYSE:NVS) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, media sentiment, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Novo Nordisk A/S has a net margin of 35.36% compared to Novartis' net margin of 23.29%. Novo Nordisk A/S's return on equity of 58.61% beat Novartis' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Novartis23.29% 38.56% 14.47%
Novo Nordisk A/S 35.36%58.61%20.91%

13.1% of Novartis shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Novartis shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Novartis has a beta of 0.45, indicating that its share price is 55% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Novo Nordisk A/S has a beta of 0.74, indicating that its share price is 26% less volatile than the broader market.

Novartis pays an annual dividend of $3.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Novartis pays out 46.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 61 more articles in the media than Novartis. MarketBeat recorded 78 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 17 mentions for Novartis. Novartis' average media sentiment score of 0.77 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.43 indicating that Novartis is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novartis
7 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Novo Nordisk A/S
36 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
15 Neutral mention(s)
12 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Novartis presently has a consensus price target of $153.00, indicating a potential upside of 5.16%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus price target of $64.94, indicating a potential upside of 67.31%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Novo Nordisk A/S is more favorable than Novartis.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Novartis
0 Sell rating(s)
10 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.38
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11

Novo Nordisk A/S has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Novartis. Novo Nordisk A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Novartis, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Novartis$54.53B5.09$13.98B$6.6321.94
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B3.70$15.51B$4.099.49

Summary

Novartis and Novo Nordisk A/S tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Novo Nordisk A/S compare to Astrazeneca?

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) and Astrazeneca (NYSE:AZN) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, earnings, profitability, risk, institutional ownership and media sentiment.

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 61 more articles in the media than Astrazeneca. MarketBeat recorded 78 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 17 mentions for Astrazeneca. Astrazeneca's average media sentiment score of 0.92 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.43 indicating that Astrazeneca is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novo Nordisk A/S
36 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
15 Neutral mention(s)
12 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Astrazeneca
11 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Astrazeneca pays an annual dividend of $4.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Astrazeneca pays out 64.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years.

Novo Nordisk A/S has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Astrazeneca. Novo Nordisk A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Astrazeneca, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B3.70$15.51B$4.099.49
Astrazeneca$58.74B4.40$10.23B$6.6924.92

Novo Nordisk A/S has a net margin of 35.36% compared to Astrazeneca's net margin of 17.02%. Novo Nordisk A/S's return on equity of 58.61% beat Astrazeneca's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Novo Nordisk A/S35.36% 58.61% 20.91%
Astrazeneca 17.02%31.45%13.20%

Novo Nordisk A/S has a beta of 0.74, meaning that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Astrazeneca has a beta of 0.25, meaning that its stock price is 75% less volatile than the broader market.

11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 20.4% of Astrazeneca shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Novo Nordisk A/S presently has a consensus target price of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 67.31%. Astrazeneca has a consensus target price of $206.67, suggesting a potential upside of 23.98%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Novo Nordisk A/S is more favorable than Astrazeneca.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11
Astrazeneca
1 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
14 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.72

Summary

Novo Nordisk A/S and Astrazeneca tied by winning 9 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Novo Nordisk A/S compare to Pfizer?

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) are both large-cap healthcare companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, risk, media sentiment, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations and dividends.

11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.4% of Pfizer shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Pfizer shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Novo Nordisk A/S has a net margin of 35.36% compared to Pfizer's net margin of 6.80%. Novo Nordisk A/S's return on equity of 58.61% beat Pfizer's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Novo Nordisk A/S35.36% 58.61% 20.91%
Pfizer 6.80%19.63%8.46%

Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Pfizer pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.0%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Pfizer pays out 226.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Pfizer has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. Pfizer is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Novo Nordisk A/S presently has a consensus target price of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 67.31%. Pfizer has a consensus target price of $28.39, suggesting a potential downside of 1.00%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher possible upside, equities analysts clearly believe Novo Nordisk A/S is more favorable than Pfizer.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.11
Pfizer
2 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.19

Novo Nordisk A/S has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Pfizer. Novo Nordisk A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Pfizer, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B3.70$15.51B$4.099.49
Pfizer$62.58B2.61$7.77B$0.7637.73

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 28 more articles in the media than Pfizer. MarketBeat recorded 78 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 50 mentions for Pfizer. Novo Nordisk A/S's average media sentiment score of 0.43 beat Pfizer's score of 0.41 indicating that Novo Nordisk A/S is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novo Nordisk A/S
36 Very Positive mention(s)
14 Positive mention(s)
15 Neutral mention(s)
12 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Pfizer
17 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
20 Neutral mention(s)
6 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Novo Nordisk A/S has a beta of 0.74, suggesting that its stock price is 26% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Pfizer has a beta of 0.34, suggesting that its stock price is 66% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Novo Nordisk A/S beats Pfizer on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding NVO and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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NVO vs. The Competition

MetricNovo Nordisk A/SPharmaceuticals IndustryHealthcare SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$173.30B$12.68B$7.35B$23.01B
Dividend Yield2.10%2.62%2.52%3.68%
P/E Ratio9.49797.38275.8227.98
Price / Sales3.70754.49616.7321.73
Price / Cash8.2815.2228.0219.25
Price / Book5.9010.5010.484.69
Net Income$15.51B$2.85B$3.51B$1.07B
7 Day Performance-2.46%-1.14%-1.34%-1.42%
1 Month Performance-14.87%-1.60%-3.50%-4.73%
1 Year Performance-30.20%1.31%15.02%7.73%

Novo Nordisk A/S Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
4.4463 of 5 stars
$38.81
+0.0%
$64.94
+67.3%
-30.2%$173.30B$46.80B9.4969,505
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
4.4367 of 5 stars
$269.80
+0.2%
$274.13
+1.6%
+51.1%$649.71B$94.19B31.24138,200
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
3.7674 of 5 stars
$147.99
-1.9%
$154.24
+4.2%
+89.5%$365.24B$65.01B118.4375,000
NVS
Novartis
4.2308 of 5 stars
$142.49
+0.9%
$153.00
+7.4%
+17.6%$271.51B$54.53B21.4675,267
AZN
Astrazeneca
4.9415 of 5 stars
$165.70
-1.6%
$206.67
+24.7%
N/A$256.29B$58.74B24.7096,100

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This page (NYSE:NVO) was last updated on 9/28/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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