Seek Returns

BMRN vs. NVS: BioMarin Pharmaceutical vs. Novartis Stock Comparison

How do BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS) 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

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BMRN is classified in Biotechnology while NVS is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) 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.

Company profile comparison for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
Profile ItemBMRNNVS
NameBioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.Novartis AG Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesSwitzerland
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization10.85 billion USD307.00 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJuly 26, 1999November 7, 1996
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BMRN
NVS
GSPC
Loading price history…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS), 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

Loading price history…
Trailing total returns for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…
Calendar-year total returns for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Total Return (1Y)8.82%32.98%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-12.54%24.72%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-7.51%18.80%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BMRN
NVS
GSPC
Loading price history…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS), 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

Loading price history…
Distribution of monthly total returns for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)35.50%27.12%
Beta (5Y)0.240.41
Max Drawdown (5Y)-57.64%-20.42%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.28M2.07M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Loading chart…
BMRN and NVS 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 BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.131.06
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.231.46

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) reports a negative ROE of -0.31%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Novartis (NVS) reports 24.33%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-0.31%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
BMRN
-0.31%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

24.33%

Max
109.18%
NVS
24.33%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) reports a negative net margin of -0.52%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Novartis (NVS) reports 17.49%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-0.52%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
BMRN
-0.52%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.49%

Max
18.05%
NVS
17.49%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 26.58% and Novartis (NVS) at 34.27% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

26.58%

Max
83.12%
BMRN
26.58%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

34.27%

Max
83.12%
NVS
34.27%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
ROE (TTM)-0.31%24.33%
ROA (TTM)3.89%10.86%
Net Margin (TTM)-0.52%17.49%
Operating Margin (TTM)26.58%34.27%
Gross Margin (TTM)53.21%75.21%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 12.87% and Novartis (NVS) at 9.57% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at -18.55% and Novartis (NVS) at 21.81% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Revenue Growth (YoY)12.87%9.57%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)15.40%9.25%
EPS Growth (YoY)-18.55%21.81%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)33.89%31.14%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 2.44 and Novartis (NVS) at 0.88 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.44

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
BMRN
2.44
Min
0.10

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.88

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
NVS
0.88
Min
0.10
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 0.67 and Novartis (NVS) at 1.29 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.67

Max
1.42
BMRN
0.67
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.29

Max
1.42
NVS
1.29
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.440.88
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.671.29
Net Debt / EBITDA4.041.64

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) 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 2.88%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BMRN
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.88%

NVS
2.88%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) 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 90.46%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BMRN
0.00%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

90.46%

NVS
90.46%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%2.88%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%90.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Novartis (NVS) trades at 31.02 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) has no P/E ratio this period.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
BMRN
--

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.02

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
NVS
31.02
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): BMRN does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; NVS is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 2.97 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Novartis (NVS) at 5.35 prices around its industry’s middle — BMRN costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.97

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
BMRN
2.97
Min
0.01

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.35

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
NVS
5.35
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 1.73 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Novartis (NVS) at 8.25 carries an above-peer premium to book — NVS is pricier on assets.

BMRN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.73

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
BMRN
1.73
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.25

Max
13.53
NVS
8.25
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
Loading chart…
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) vs. Novartis (NVS): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Novartis (NVS)
MetricBMRNNVS
P/E Ratio (TTM)--31.02
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.975.35
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.738.25
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-0.15%3.67%