BIIB vs. NVS: Biogen vs. Novartis Stock Comparison
This page compares Biogen (BIIB) with Novartis (NVS) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 51.20% | 30.60% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 33.53% | 20.95% |
| Beta | 0.17 | 0.47 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.16M | 1.59M |
Company Profile
Biogen (BIIB) and Novartis (NVS) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BIIB is classified in Biotechnology while NVS is classified in Pharmaceuticals.
Biogen (BIIB) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novartis (NVS) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Biogen Inc. | Novartis AG Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | 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 | 29.53 billion USD | 292.07 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 17, 1991 | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both Biogen (BIIB) at 21.51 and Novartis (NVS) at 21.93 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.51
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- BIIB
- 21.51
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.93
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- NVS
- 21.93
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) at 2.97 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Novartis (NVS) at 5.16 prices around its industry’s middle — BIIB costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.97
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- BIIB
- 2.97
- Min
- 0.01
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.16
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- NVS
- 5.16
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 1.58 looks cheap against book in the lower P/B ratio quartile, while Novartis (NVS) at 7.58 carries a premium in the upper quartile — a clear price-to-book gap.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.58
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- BIIB
- 1.58
- Min
- -5.17
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.58
- Max
- 13.23
- NVS
- 7.58
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 21.51 | 21.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.97 | 5.16 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.58 | 7.58 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 6.54% | 4.12% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Biogen (BIIB) at 7.70% and Novartis (NVS) at 34.93% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.70%
- Max
- 101.32%
- BIIB
- 7.70%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
34.93%
- Max
- 101.32%
- NVS
- 34.93%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Biogen (BIIB) at 13.81% and Novartis (NVS) at 23.92% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.81%
- BIIB
- 13.81%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.92%
- NVS
- 23.92%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Biogen (BIIB) at 22.90% and Novartis (NVS) at 30.48% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
22.90%
- Max
- 100.30%
- BIIB
- 22.90%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.48%
- Max
- 100.30%
- NVS
- 30.48%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 7.70% | 34.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.95% | 10.54% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.81% | 23.92% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.90% | 30.48% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.72% | 75.55% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 2.22% | 9.57% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | -0.94% | 9.25% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | -21.38% | 21.81% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | -25.04% | 31.14% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 3.07 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Novartis (NVS) at 0.85 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for NVS.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.07
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- BIIB
- 3.07
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.85
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- NVS
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Biogen (BIIB) at 0.35 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Novartis (NVS) at 1.21 uses more debt funding than most peers.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.35
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- BIIB
- 0.35
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.21
- Max
- 1.60
- NVS
- 1.21
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.07 | 0.85 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.35 | 1.21 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.64 | 1.75 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novartis (NVS) reports a yield of 3.10%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.10%
- NVS
- 3.10%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Biogen (BIIB) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novartis (NVS) reports a payout of 67.91%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BIIB
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BIIB
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
67.91%
- NVS
- 67.91%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.10% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 67.91% |