ABBV vs. NVO: AbbVie vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison
This page compares AbbVie (ABBV) with Novo Nordisk (NVO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 22.21% | -43.24% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 24.36% | 51.89% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 0.77 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.43M | 16.09M |
Company Profile
AbbVie (ABBV) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ABBV is classified in Biotechnology while NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals.
AbbVie (ABBV) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AbbVie Inc. | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 402.35 billion USD | 194.35 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 2013 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.30 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while AbbVie (ABBV) at 111.09 trades above its peer range — a wide earnings-valuation gap relative to industry peers.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
111.09
- ABBV
- 111.09
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
10.30
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- NVO
- 10.30
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while AbbVie (ABBV) at 6.40 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.40
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- ABBV
- 6.40
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.59
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- NVO
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AbbVie (ABBV) reports a negative P/B ratio of -60.45, meaning negative book equity — the multiple itself is not meaningful for valuation. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 6.22, ranking against industry peers normally.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-60.45
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
- ABBV
- -60.45
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.22
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- NVO
- 6.22
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 111.09 | 10.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.40 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | -60.45 | 6.22 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 5.17% | -6.19% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Novo Nordisk (NVO) earns 71.40% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; AbbVie (ABBV) has no ROE this period.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 101.32%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
- ABBV
- --
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
71.40%
- Max
- 101.32%
- NVO
- 71.40%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 37.21% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and AbbVie (ABBV) at 5.79% also retains a top-quartile share.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.79%
- Max
- 12.76%
- ABBV
- 5.79%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
37.21%
- NVO
- 37.21%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AbbVie (ABBV) at 32.16% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 61.57% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
32.16%
- Max
- 100.30%
- ABBV
- 32.16%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
61.57%
- Max
- 100.30%
- NVO
- 61.57%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -- | 71.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 10.03% | 19.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.79% | 37.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.16% | 61.57% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 72.03% | 83.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 8.57% | 6.43% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 1.75% | 20.43% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -1.26% | 1.77% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -29.13% | 23.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both AbbVie (ABBV) at 0.80 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.79 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.80
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- ABBV
- 0.80
- Min
- 0.23
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.79
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- NVO
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Only one side’s leverage can be read here: Novo Nordisk (NVO) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.72 against its industry range, while AbbVie (ABBV) reports no figure this period.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
- ABBV
- --
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- NVO
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.80 | 0.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | -- | 0.72 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.12 | 0.72 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both AbbVie (ABBV) at 3.04% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 4.11% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.04%
- ABBV
- 3.04%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.11%
- NVO
- 4.11%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AbbVie (ABBV) reports payout ratio above 100% at 325.98%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 42.59%, ranking against industry peers normally.
ABBV
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
325.98%
- ABBV
- 325.98%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
42.59%
- NVO
- 42.59%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | ABBV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.04% | 4.11% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 325.98% | 42.59% |