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.
| Profile Item | NVS |
|---|---|
| Name | Novartis AG Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | Switzerland |
| GICS Sector | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 304.10 billion USD |
| Currency | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry 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
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 22.61% | 67.21% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.41 | 0.93 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -20.42% | -82.64% |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.07 | 0.78 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.71 | 1.30 |
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
- --
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%
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%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry 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.
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.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry 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
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
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.86 | 5.72 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.17 | 0.14 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.79 | 1.15 |
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%
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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry 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
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
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
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current stock: NVS | Industry group median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 24.17 | 28.50 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.36 | 7.31 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 7.32 | 4.02 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 3.91% | -1.84% |