ABBV vs. NVS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ABBV and NVS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

ABBV is a standard domestic listing, while NVS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
Company Name	AbbVie Inc.	Novartis AG
Country	United States	Switzerland
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Biotechnology	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	369.48 billion USD	246.34 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 2013	November 7, 1996
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ABBV and NVS by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ABBV vs. NVS: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
5-Day Price Return	2.18%	3.47%
13-Week Price Return	12.62%	11.69%
26-Week Price Return	8.12%	4.09%
52-Week Price Return	6.24%	9.24%
Month-to-Date Return	10.65%	7.12%
Year-to-Date Return	17.70%	13.75%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.64M	2.89M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.39M	3.36M
3-Month Volatility	19.56%	17.00%
Beta	0.49	0.08

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ABBV

95.59%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 77.14%
Q3: 10.76%
Median: -20.08%
Q1: -42.71%
Min: -119.20%

ABBV’s Return on Equity of 95.59% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

NVS

32.56%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.59%
Q3: 19.84%
Median: 11.90%
Q1: 5.63%
Min: -9.96%

In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVS’s Return on Equity of 32.56% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

6.45%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 59.44%
Q3: 16.21%
Median: -11.49%
Q1: -167.42%
Min: -409.07%

ABBV’s Net Profit Margin of 6.45% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Biotechnology industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NVS

24.90%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 34.51%
Q3: 17.73%
Median: 12.12%
Q1: 5.99%
Min: -7.73%

A Net Profit Margin of 24.90% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ABBV

18.80%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 60.62%
Q3: 20.76%
Median: -12.41%
Q1: -181.14%
Min: -482.02%

ABBV’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.80% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NVS

30.03%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 41.53%
Q3: 23.00%
Median: 16.24%
Q1: 9.24%
Min: -6.94%

An Operating Profit Margin of 30.03% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
Return on Equity (TTM)	95.59%	32.56%
Return on Assets (TTM)	2.73%	13.32%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	6.45%	24.90%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	18.80%	30.03%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.93%	76.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

0.74

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 19.31
Q3: 9.38
Median: 4.54
Q1: 2.45
Min: 0.76

ABBV’s Current Ratio of 0.74 is notably low, falling beneath the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests a heightened liquidity risk and could indicate potential challenges in meeting its short-term obligations.

NVS

0.82

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 4.49
Q3: 2.77
Median: 1.74
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.11

NVS’s Current Ratio of 0.82 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

49.22

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.35
Q3: 0.64
Median: 0.09
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 49.22, ABBV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

NVS

0.77

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 2.44
Q3: 1.07
Median: 0.42
Q1: 0.11
Min: 0.00

NVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

2.70

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.91
Median: -7.81
Q1: -63.90
Min: -153.80

ABBV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.70 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

NVS

22.55

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 44.18
Median: 9.83
Q1: 2.82
Min: -42.71

NVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.55 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.74	0.82
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.48	0.62
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	49.22	0.77
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	2.70	22.55

Growth

Revenue Growth

ABBV vs. NVS: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ABBV vs. NVS: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ABBV

3.11%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

ABBV’s Dividend Yield of 3.11% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.

NVS

3.29%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 6.98%
Q3: 3.32%
Median: 2.13%
Q1: 0.14%
Min: 0.00%

NVS’s Dividend Yield of 3.29% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

226.84%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

At 226.84%, ABBV’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Biotechnology industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

NVS

102.24%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 165.20%
Q3: 90.59%
Median: 49.13%
Q1: 28.91%
Min: 0.00%

NVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.24% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.11%	3.29%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	226.84%	102.24%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

96.80

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 60.14
Q3: 38.17
Median: 29.01
Q1: 15.12
Min: 0.00

At 96.80, ABBV’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

NVS

17.43

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 42.51
Q3: 26.88
Median: 19.11
Q1: 15.12
Min: 0.00

NVS’s P/E Ratio of 17.43 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ABBV

6.24

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 76.98
Q3: 36.53
Median: 9.49
Q1: 4.49
Min: 0.00

ABBV’s P/S Ratio of 6.24 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NVS

4.34

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 7.55
Q3: 4.54
Median: 2.11
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.00

NVS’s P/S Ratio of 4.34 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ABBV

261.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 20.53
Q3: 9.76
Median: 4.77
Q1: 2.49
Min: 0.59

At 261.01, ABBV’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

NVS

6.00

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.78
Q3: 4.96
Median: 2.23
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.60

NVS’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is in the upper tier for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

ABBV vs. NVS: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ABBV	NVS
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	96.80	17.43
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	6.24	4.34
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	261.01	6.00
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	19.97	14.16