AZN vs. NVO: AstraZeneca vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison
How do AstraZeneca (AZN) 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
AstraZeneca (AZN) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) 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.
| Profile Item | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United Kingdom | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 289.14 billion USD | 177.74 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 12.64% | -5.29% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 15.75% | -23.41% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 10.63% | -4.13% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 28.21% | 45.98% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.22 | 0.67 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -27.87% | -74.70% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 3.14M | 12.11M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.30 | -0.21 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.44 | -0.28 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 22.57% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
22.57%
- Max
- 109.18%
- AZN
- 22.57%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
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%
Net Margin (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.68% also retains a top-quartile share.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.68%
- Max
- 18.05%
- AZN
- 17.68%
- 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%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 29.57% 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.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
29.57%
- Max
- 83.12%
- AZN
- 29.57%
- 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%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 22.57% | 58.38% |
| ROA (TTM) | 8.59% | 19.05% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 17.68% | 33.92% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 29.57% | 40.05% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 81.78% | 83.33% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 8.63% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.33% 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.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 8.63% | 6.43% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 9.82% | 20.43% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 45.33% | 1.77% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 45.80% | 23.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.01 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.85 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.01
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- AZN
- 1.01
- Min
- 0.10
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
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.66 uses more debt funding than most peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.66
- Max
- 1.42
- AZN
- 0.66
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- 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
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.01 | 0.85 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.66 | 0.62 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.23 | 0.49 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.73% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 29.03% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.73%
- AZN
- 1.73%
- 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%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 45.38% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 45.36% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
45.38%
- AZN
- 45.38%
- 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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.73% | 29.03% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.38% | 45.36% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 26.37 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.37
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- AZN
- 26.37
- 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
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.63 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.63
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- AZN
- 4.63
- 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
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
On P/B ratio, both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 5.59 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.59
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- AZN
- 5.59
- 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
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 26.37 | 10.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.63 | 0.53 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.59 | 5.43 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.95% | 18.43% |