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Novartis (NVS) Stock Analysis

This is a peer-relative look at Novartis (NVS): its performance, risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividend, and valuation are each measured against its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peers, so every number reads in context rather than in isolation.

Company Profile

Novartis (NVS) trades as an ADR rather than ordinary local shares — read it with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile fields for Novartis (NVS)
Profile ItemNVS
NameNovartis AG Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionSwitzerland
GICS SectorHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization304.10 billion USD
CurrencyUSD
ExchangeNYSE
Listing DateNovember 7, 1996
Security TypeADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

NVS
GSPC
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Novartis (NVS) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Novartis (NVS) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Novartis (NVS) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Total Return (1Y)28.38%48.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)20.78%12.46%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)16.11%-4.88%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

NVS
GSPC
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Novartis (NVS) vs. S&P 500 (GSPC): Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Novartis (NVS) and S&P 500 (GSPC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)22.61%67.21%
Beta (5Y)0.410.93
Max Drawdown (5Y)-20.42%-82.64%

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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Each dot is a stock plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. NVS is highlighted; the dashed line is the Capital Allocation Line from the risk-free rate through the industry median — dots above it are stronger on a risk-adjusted basis.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.070.78
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.711.30

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) posts ROE of 30.35%, in the upper peer quartile. That suggests the company earns more from each dollar of shareholders’ equity than most industry peers, a useful capital-efficiency signal.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

30.35%

Group distribution
Max
102.29%
NVS
30.35%
Q3
3.16%
Median
-32.34%
Q1
-64.79%
Min
-157.61%
Largest peers
LLY
102.29%
AMGN
91.47%
NVS
30.35%
JNJ
25.74%
AZN
21.97%
MRK
6.96%
ABBV
--
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on ROE within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Net Margin (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) keeps 22.50% of revenue as net profit on net margin, above the industry benchmark range. That is unusually strong bottom-line conversion, though tax effects, asset sales, or other one-off gains should be checked before treating it as durable.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

22.50%

Group distribution
NVS
22.50%
Max
12.02%
Q3
2.44%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.89%
Min
-13.51%
Largest peers
LLY
33.53%
AMGN
22.95%
NVS
22.50%
JNJ
21.48%
AZN
17.02%
ABBV
9.80%
MRK
4.77%
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on net margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) turns 34.62% of revenue into operating profit, putting operating margin in the upper peer quartile. Before financing and taxes enter the picture, the day-to-day business keeps more of each sales dollar than most industry peers.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

34.62%

Group distribution
Max
76.04%
NVS
34.62%
Q3
10.45%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-120.32%
Min
-308.66%
Largest peers
LLY
54.22%
ABBV
40.04%
AMGN
35.55%
NVS
34.62%
JNJ
29.19%
AZN
23.46%
MRK
-0.24%
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on operating margin within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Profitability Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
ROE (TTM)30.35%-32.34%
ROA (TTM)10.25%-14.69%
Net Margin (TTM)22.50%0.00%
Operating Margin (TTM)34.62%0.00%
Gross Margin (TTM)74.98%33.96%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Novartis (NVS) grew revenue 9.57%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Top-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

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Novartis (NVS): Revenue Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

EPS Growth

Novartis (NVS) grew earnings per share 21.81%, roughly around the peer group's normal range. Bottom-line momentum looks broadly typical for the industry.

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Novartis (NVS): EPS Growth across different time periods, set against Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians.

Growth Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Revenue Growth (YoY)9.57%10.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)9.25%10.96%
EPS Growth (YoY)21.81%3.16%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)31.14%3.62%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Novartis (NVS) has current ratio of 0.86, in the tighter-liquidity quartile for its industry. The short-term cushion is thinner than most peers carry, even if the absolute comfort level still depends on the business model.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.86

Group distribution
Max
26.10
Q3
12.34
Median
5.72
Q1
2.80
NVS
0.86
Min
0.10
Largest peers
AMGN
1.37
LLY
1.36
MRK
1.32
JNJ
1.09
AZN
0.89
NVS
0.86
ABBV
0.81
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on current ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Novartis (NVS) has debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, in the higher-leverage quartile for its industry. The heavier reliance on borrowing can make earnings, rates, or refinancing conditions matter more.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.17

Group distribution
Max
1.56
NVS
1.17
Q3
0.64
Median
0.14
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
Largest peers
AMGN
4.90
LLY
1.62
MRK
1.28
NVS
1.17
AZN
0.64
JNJ
0.58
ABBV
--
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on debt-to-equity ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Financial Strength Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.865.72
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.170.14
Net Debt / EBITDA1.791.15

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) has dividend yield of 2.86%, above the entire industry range. That headline income is large, but yields this far above peers often come from a falling share price or an at-risk payout, so dividend safety matters more than the percentage itself.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.86%

Group distribution
NVS
2.86%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
NVS
2.86%
ABBV
2.62%
AMGN
2.21%
MRK
2.18%
AZN
1.96%
JNJ
1.88%
LLY
0.56%
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on dividend yield within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) has payout ratio of 71.60%, above the peer distribution for its industry. The dividend consumes more reported earnings than peers normally do, leaving unusually thin earnings cover.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

71.60%

Group distribution
NVS
71.60%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Largest peers
MRK
268.80%
ABBV
190.40%
NVS
71.60%
AMGN
60.87%
JNJ
60.79%
AZN
47.41%
LLY
21.69%
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on payout ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Dividend Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.86%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)71.60%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) trades at P/E ratio of 24.17, near the industry’s usual earnings multiple. The stock is not showing a clear peer discount or premium on trailing earnings.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

24.17

Group distribution
Max
83.73
Q3
44.68
Median
28.50
NVS
24.17
Q1
15.51
Min
0.14
Largest peers
MRK
120.26
ABBV
72.45
LLY
38.61
JNJ
31.97
AMGN
27.17
AZN
24.32
NVS
24.17
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on P/E ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) trades at 5.36 on P/S ratio, roughly in the peer group’s normal range. The market is not making a strong cheap-or-rich statement about its revenue base.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.36

Group distribution
Max
65.27
Q3
29.50
Median
7.31
NVS
5.36
Q1
3.49
Min
0.01
Largest peers
LLY
12.86
ABBV
7.04
JNJ
6.77
AMGN
6.21
MRK
5.57
NVS
5.36
AZN
4.11
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on P/S ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Novartis (NVS) trades at 7.32 on P/B ratio, roughly in line with the industry’s normal price-to-book range. Its balance sheet is not being priced at a clear discount or premium versus peers.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.32

Group distribution
Max
15.46
Q3
7.32
NVS
7.32
Median
4.02
Q1
1.90
Min
-5.81
Largest peers
LLY
30.24
AMGN
20.22
MRK
8.85
JNJ
7.80
NVS
7.32
AZN
5.02
ABBV
-76.35
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Where Novartis (NVS) stands on P/B ratio within its Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences peer group — the box is the group’s distribution and the dots its largest members.

Valuation Metrics

Novartis (NVS) metric values compared with Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry-group medians
MetricCurrent stock: NVSIndustry group median
P/E Ratio (TTM)24.1728.50
P/S Ratio (TTM)5.367.31
P/B Ratio (MRQ)7.324.02
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)3.91%-1.84%