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BMY vs. NVO: Bristol-Myers Squibb vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemBMYNVO
NameBristol-Myers Squibb CompanyNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization127.02 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 1, 1972April 30, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BMY
NVO
GSPC
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Total Return (1Y)38.62%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)12.29%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)5.09%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BMY
NVO
GSPC
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)28.01%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.190.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-47.67%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)10.85M12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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BMY 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.23-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.95-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 44.01% 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.01%

Max
109.18%
BMY
44.01%
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%
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 18.47% 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.47%

BMY
18.47%
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 33.79% 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.79%

Max
83.12%
BMY
33.79%
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
ROE (TTM)44.01%58.38%
ROA (TTM)10.90%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)18.47%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)33.79%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)70.50%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at -0.22% 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.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports EPS growth of 1.77%, ranked against its industry; Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)-0.22%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)1.45%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)--1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)5.46%23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.59 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.59

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
BMY
1.59
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
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 1.91 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.91

BMY
1.91
Max
1.42
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
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.590.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.910.62
Net Debt / EBITDA1.770.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 3.99% 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.99%

BMY
3.99%
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 55.88% 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.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

55.88%

BMY
55.88%
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.99%29.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)55.88%45.36%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 13.78 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.78

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
BMY
13.78
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 2.54 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 fetch a relatively low price per dollar of sales, landing in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.54

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
Q1
3.01
BMY
2.54
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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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) at 5.43 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

BMY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.43

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
BMY
5.43
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
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Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) 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 Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBMYNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)13.7810.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)2.540.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.435.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)5.01%18.43%