BIIB vs. NVS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BIIB and NVS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
BIIB 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 | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Biogen Inc. | Novartis AG |
| Country | United States | Switzerland |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 20.38 billion USD | 246.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | September 17, 1991 | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BIIB 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 | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.00% | 3.47% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 7.38% | 11.69% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 0.39% | 4.09% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -32.55% | 9.24% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 8.59% | 7.12% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.11% | 13.75% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.42M | 2.89M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.49M | 3.36M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 31.01% | 17.00% |
| Beta | 0.09 | 0.08 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BIIB
9.04%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
BIIB’s Return on Equity of 9.04% is on par with the norm for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BIIB
15.31%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
BIIB’s Net Profit Margin of 15.31% 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
BIIB
20.80%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.80% places BIIB in the upper quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 9.04% | 32.56% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.43% | 13.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.31% | 24.90% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.80% | 30.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 75.43% | 76.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
2.50
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
BIIB’s Current Ratio of 2.50 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
0.36
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
BIIB’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.36 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
4.35
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
BIIB’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.35 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.50 | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.79 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.36 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.35 | 22.55 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
BIIB has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 102.24% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
13.27
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/E Ratio of 13.27 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BIIB
2.03
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, BIIB’s P/S Ratio of 2.03 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
BIIB
1.04
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
BIIB’s P/B Ratio of 1.04 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | BIIB | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 13.27 | 17.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.03 | 4.34 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 6.00 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 11.00 | 14.16 |