ABBV vs. NVS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at ABBV and NVS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AbbVie Inc. | Novartis AG |
| Country | United States | Switzerland |
| 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 | 368.65 billion USD | 293.55 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 2013 | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
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.
ABBV's market capitalization stands at 368.65 billion USD, while NVS's is 293.55 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
NVS is an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), allowing U.S. investors direct exposure to its non-U.S. operations. ABBV, on the other hand, is a domestic entity.
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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.87% | -3.14% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -5.28% | 4.14% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -9.87% | 11.85% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 16.37% | 9.24% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.17% | -2.09% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -8.78% | 7.97% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.89M | 2.41M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.73M | 3.22M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.99% | 19.55% |
| Beta | 0.31 | 1.06 |
NVS carries a higher beta at 1.06, indicating it's more sensitive to market moves, while ABBV (beta: 0.31) exhibits greater stability.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ABBV
95.59%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 101.12%
- Q3
- 11.28%
- Median
- -14.38%
- Q1
- -50.48%
- Min
- -131.19%
In the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, ABBV's Return on Equity of 95.59% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NVS
32.75%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 20.55%
- Median
- 12.78%
- Q1
- 5.01%
- Min
- -14.55%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVS's Return on Equity of 32.75% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
6.91%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 101.47%
- Q3
- 22.03%
- Median
- -0.66%
- Q1
- -144.35%
- Min
- -310.18%
ABBV's Net Profit Margin of 6.91% 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
24.83%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 36.97%
- Q3
- 20.13%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 7.56%
- Min
- -8.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.83% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ABBV
24.65%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 75.52%
- Q3
- 25.07%
- Median
- 3.07%
- Q1
- -129.95%
- Min
- -343.63%
ABBV's Operating Profit Margin of 24.65% is around the midpoint for the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NVS
31.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 43.61%
- Q3
- 25.42%
- Median
- 18.73%
- Q1
- 12.49%
- Min
- -4.35%
An Operating Profit Margin of 31.00% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 95.59% | 32.75% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 3.12% | 13.24% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 6.91% | 24.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.65% | 31.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 71.62% | 75.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
0.67
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.15
- Q3
- 9.91
- Median
- 4.40
- Q1
- 2.57
- Min
- 0.67
ABBV's Current Ratio of 0.67 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
NVS
1.12
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.33
- Q3
- 3.51
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.80
NVS's Current Ratio of 1.12 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
49.22
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.68
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.15
- 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
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.77
- Median
- 0.28
- Q1
- 0.04
- 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
3.46
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 2.47
- Median
- -8.45
- Q1
- -60.58
- Min
- -132.16
ABBV's Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.46 is in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
NVS
15.76
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 154.61
- Q3
- 67.33
- Median
- 12.49
- Q1
- 2.53
- Min
- -27.02
NVS's Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.67 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.41 | 0.89 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 49.22 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.46 | 15.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 10.04% | 2.23% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 8.57% | 8.91% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 1.75% | 9.10% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.95% | 2.45% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -- | -11.02% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | -1.30% | 21.92% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -28.99% | 31.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | -2.88% | 15.26% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ABBV
3.17%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABBV's Dividend Yield of 3.17% 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
2.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.29%
- Q3
- 2.93%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS's Dividend Yield of 2.79% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
275.84%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ABBV's Dividend Payout Ratio of 275.84% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
NVS
102.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 76.07%
- Median
- 43.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS's Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.24% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.17% | 2.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 275.84% | 102.24% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
86.98
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.52
- Q3
- 37.59
- Median
- 24.19
- Q1
- 14.53
- Min
- 3.28
At 86.98, 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
20.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 46.88
- Q3
- 30.69
- Median
- 19.24
- Q1
- 14.01
- Min
- 3.78
NVS's P/E Ratio of 20.06 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ABBV
6.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 52.41
- Q3
- 28.72
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 4.92
- Min
- 0.78
ABBV's P/S Ratio of 6.01 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
4.98
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.61
- Q3
- 5.34
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.99
- Min
- 0.21
NVS's P/S Ratio of 4.98 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ABBV
261.01
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.36
- Q3
- 10.61
- Median
- 5.19
- Q1
- 3.15
- Min
- 0.57
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
5.78
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 10.12
- Q3
- 5.22
- Median
- 2.61
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.63
NVS's P/B Ratio of 5.78 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ABBV | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 86.98 | 20.06 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.01 | 4.98 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 261.01 | 5.78 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.63 | 18.41 |