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ARGX vs. NVO: argenx vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but ARGX is classified in Biotechnology while NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Both argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) trade as ADRs — their core financials are comparable, but keep FX, depositary-program fees, and dividend withholding in view for each.

Company profile comparison for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemARGXNVO
Nameargenx SE American Depositary ReceiptNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionNetherlandsDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization58.31 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateMay 18, 2017April 30, 1981
Security TypeADRADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ARGX
NVO
GSPC
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Total Return (1Y)11.91%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)25.68%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)24.22%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ARGX
NVO
GSPC
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: 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 argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Novo Nordisk (NVO) is heavily traded at around 12.11M shares per day, whereas argenx (ARGX) sees a more moderate 359.84K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.

Risk profile metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)37.87%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.450.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-38.20%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)359.84K12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ARGX and NVO are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.20-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.31-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Novo Nordisk (NVO) earns 58.38% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; argenx (ARGX) has no ROE this period.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
ARGX
--

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

58.38%

Max
109.18%
NVO
58.38%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): ARGX does not report ROE, so it has no value marker; NVO is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both argenx (ARGX) at 31.73% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.73%

ARGX
31.73%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.92%

NVO
33.92%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both argenx (ARGX) at 36.27% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 40.05% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

36.27%

Max
83.12%
ARGX
36.27%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

40.05%

Max
83.12%
NVO
40.05%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
ROE (TTM)--58.38%
ROA (TTM)--19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)31.73%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)36.27%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)59.84%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

argenx (ARGX) at 89.64% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for ARGX.

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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both argenx (ARGX) at 53.13% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)89.64%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)116.25%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)53.13%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: Novo Nordisk (NVO) shows current ratio of 0.85 against its industry benchmark, while argenx (ARGX) has no reading this period.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
ARGX
--

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.85

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
NVO
0.85
Min
0.10
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): ARGX does not report current ratio, so it has no value marker; NVO is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

argenx (ARGX) at 0.01 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.01

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
ARGX
0.01
Min
0.00

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.62

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
NVO
0.62
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)--0.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.010.62
Net Debt / EBITDA-2.700.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

argenx (ARGX) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports a yield of 29.03%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ARGX
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

29.03%

NVO
29.03%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

argenx (ARGX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports a payout of 45.36%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

ARGX
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

45.36%

NVO
45.36%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%29.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%45.36%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while argenx (ARGX) at 32.12 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

32.12

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
ARGX
32.12
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.18

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
NVO
10.18
Min
0.07
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while argenx (ARGX) at 9.86 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.86

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
ARGX
9.86
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.53

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
NVO
0.53
Min
0.01
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argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while argenx (ARGX) at 172.23 prices above its benchmark range — ARGX looks rich relative to book.

ARGX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

172.23

ARGX
172.23
Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.43

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
NVO
5.43
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
Loading chart…
argenx (ARGX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for argenx (ARGX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricARGXNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)32.1210.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)9.860.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)172.235.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)--18.43%