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Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) Competitors

Novo Nordisk A/S logo
$46.59 -0.01 (-0.02%)
As of 09/4/2026 03:58 PM Eastern

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 superior investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, media sentiment, dividends and profitability.

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$94.19B7.04$26.80B$8.6331.88
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B4.45$15.51B$4.0911.39

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

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 61.20% 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%61.20%21.49%

Johnson & Johnson presently has a consensus target price of $272.83, suggesting a potential downside of 0.83%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus target price of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 39.38%. 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)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.16

In the previous week, Johnson & Johnson had 78 more articles in the media than Novo Nordisk A/S. MarketBeat recorded 104 mentions for Johnson & Johnson and 26 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S. Johnson & Johnson's average media sentiment score of 1.16 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.60 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
78 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
14 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Novo Nordisk A/S
13 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

69.6% of Johnson & Johnson shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Johnson & Johnson shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Johnson & Johnson pays an annual dividend of $5.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. 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 raised its dividend for 64 consecutive years. Johnson & Johnson is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Johnson & Johnson beats Novo Nordisk A/S on 14 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

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

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

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 an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. 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. Novo Nordisk A/S pays out 20.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. 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.

76.1% of Merck & Co., Inc. shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by institutional investors. 0.2% of Merck & Co., Inc. 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 hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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
Merck & Co., Inc.$65.01B5.71$18.25B$1.25120.30
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B4.45$15.51B$4.0911.39

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

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 61.20% beat Merck & Co., Inc.'s return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Merck & Co., Inc.4.77% 16.73% 6.13%
Novo Nordisk A/S 35.36%61.20%21.49%

Merck & Co., Inc. presently has a consensus target price of $148.60, suggesting a potential downside of 1.18%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus target price of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 39.38%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher possible upside, 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
Merck & Co., Inc.
0 Sell rating(s)
8 Hold rating(s)
15 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.65
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.16

In the previous week, Merck & Co., Inc. had 7 more articles in the media than Novo Nordisk A/S. MarketBeat recorded 33 mentions for Merck & Co., Inc. and 26 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S. Merck & Co., Inc.'s average media sentiment score of 1.29 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.60 indicating that Merck & Co., Inc. is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Merck & Co., Inc.
27 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Novo Nordisk A/S
13 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Merck & Co., Inc. beats Novo Nordisk A/S on 12 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 superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership, media sentiment and dividends.

Novartis pays an annual dividend of $3.08 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. 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.

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$54.53B5.60$13.98B$6.6324.13
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B4.45$15.51B$4.0911.39

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 61.20% 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%61.20%21.49%

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

In the previous week, Novartis had 18 more articles in the media than Novo Nordisk A/S. MarketBeat recorded 44 mentions for Novartis and 26 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S. Novo Nordisk A/S's average media sentiment score of 0.60 beat Novartis' score of 0.12 indicating that Novo Nordisk A/S is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novartis
13 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
12 Neutral mention(s)
16 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Novo Nordisk A/S
13 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Novartis presently has a consensus price target of $141.20, suggesting a potential downside of 11.72%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus price target of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 39.38%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher possible 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
2 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.16

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, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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?

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

Astrazeneca currently has a consensus price target of $206.67, indicating a potential upside of 27.09%. Novo Nordisk A/S has a consensus price target of $64.94, indicating a potential upside of 39.38%. 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
Astrazeneca
1 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
13 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.75
Novo Nordisk A/S
1 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.16

Astrazeneca has a beta of 0.25, indicating that its share price is 75% 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.

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 61.20% beat Astrazeneca's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Astrazeneca17.02% 31.45% 13.20%
Novo Nordisk A/S 35.36%61.20%21.49%

In the previous week, Novo Nordisk A/S had 13 more articles in the media than Astrazeneca. MarketBeat recorded 26 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S and 13 mentions for Astrazeneca. Astrazeneca's average media sentiment score of 0.82 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.60 indicating that Astrazeneca is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Astrazeneca
7 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
2 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Novo Nordisk A/S
13 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Novo Nordisk A/S has lower revenue, but higher earnings 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
Astrazeneca$58.74B4.29$10.23B$6.6924.31
Novo Nordisk A/S$46.80B4.45$15.51B$4.0911.39

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

Astrazeneca pays an annual dividend of $4.34 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.7%. Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Astrazeneca pays out 64.9% 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.

Summary

Novo Nordisk A/S beats Astrazeneca on 10 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 superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their media sentiment, profitability, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends and risk.

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$46.80B4.45$15.51B$4.0911.39
Pfizer$62.58B2.59$7.77B$0.7637.39

Novo Nordisk A/S currently has a consensus target price of $64.94, suggesting a potential upside of 39.38%. Pfizer has a consensus target price of $28.28, suggesting a potential downside of 0.50%. Given Novo Nordisk A/S's higher probable upside, 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)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.16
Pfizer
2 Sell rating(s)
14 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.19

Novo Nordisk A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.82 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Pfizer pays an annual dividend of $1.72 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.1%. 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 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 61.20% beat Pfizer's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Novo Nordisk A/S35.36% 61.20% 21.49%
Pfizer 6.80%19.63%8.46%

In the previous week, Pfizer had 58 more articles in the media than Novo Nordisk A/S. MarketBeat recorded 84 mentions for Pfizer and 26 mentions for Novo Nordisk A/S. Pfizer's average media sentiment score of 0.84 beat Novo Nordisk A/S's score of 0.60 indicating that Pfizer is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Novo Nordisk A/S
13 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Pfizer
37 Very Positive mention(s)
22 Positive mention(s)
18 Neutral mention(s)
2 Negative mention(s)
4 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

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

11.5% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 68.4% of Pfizer shares are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of Novo Nordisk A/S shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.6% of Pfizer shares are held by 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.

Summary

Pfizer beats Novo Nordisk A/S on 10 of the 19 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$208.07B$12.24B$7.25B$23.66B
Dividend Yield1.75%2.59%2.54%3.73%
P/E Ratio11.39651.70212.6725.22
Price / Sales4.45756.07624.5520.85
Price / Cash9.9415.1828.9219.95
Price / Book7.0811.0911.014.83
Net Income$15.51B$2.83B$3.49B$1.07B
7 Day Performance2.76%4.42%1.63%0.43%
1 Month Performance-1.30%6.88%4.42%-0.78%
1 Year Performance-15.52%10.00%24.21%12.82%

Novo Nordisk A/S Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
4.112 of 5 stars
$46.59
0.0%
$64.94
+39.4%
-15.5%$208.07B$46.80B11.3969,505
JNJ
Johnson & Johnson
4.5961 of 5 stars
$274.86
+1.4%
$272.83
-0.7%
+54.4%$662.69B$94.19B31.86138,200
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
4.5535 of 5 stars
$150.27
+0.3%
$147.60
-1.8%
+77.8%$370.86B$66.57B120.2675,000
NVS
Novartis
2.7709 of 5 stars
$161.63
+0.2%
$141.20
-12.6%
+23.3%$307.77B$56.69B24.3375,267
AZN
Astrazeneca
4.7167 of 5 stars
$161.98
-0.3%
$206.67
+27.6%
N/A$251.01B$58.74B24.1996,100

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This page (NYSE:NVO) was last updated on 9/7/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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