Seek Returns

BNTX vs. NVO: BioNTech vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do BioNTech (BNTX) 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

BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BNTX is classified in Biotechnology while NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Both BioNTech (BNTX) 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.

Company profile comparison for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemBNTXNVO
NameBioNTech SE American Depositary ShareNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionGermanyDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization21.70 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateOctober 10, 2019April 30, 1981
Security TypeADRADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

BNTX
NVO
GSPC
Loading price history…
BioNTech (BNTX) 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

Loading price history…
Trailing total returns for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

Loading price history…
Calendar-year total returns for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Total Return (1Y)-14.78%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-3.99%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-17.02%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

BNTX
NVO
GSPC
Loading price history…
BioNTech (BNTX) 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

Loading price history…
Distribution of monthly total returns for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

BioNTech (BNTX) has an aggressive beta of 1.30, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) is defensive at 0.67 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Risk profile metrics for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)47.44%45.98%
Beta (5Y)1.300.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-78.10%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)1.21M12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

Loading chart…
BNTX 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 BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.40-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.59-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

BioNTech (BNTX) reports a negative ROE of -8.14%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 58.38%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-8.14%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
BNTX
-8.14%
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%
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

BioNTech (BNTX) reports a negative net margin of -60.87%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 33.92%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-60.87%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
BNTX
-60.87%

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%
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both BioNTech (BNTX) at 30.28% 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.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

30.28%

Max
83.12%
BNTX
30.28%
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%
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
ROE (TTM)-8.14%58.38%
ROA (TTM)-4.04%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)-60.87%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)30.28%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)76.73%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both BioNTech (BNTX) at 4.32% 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.

Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) 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; BioNTech (BNTX) has no EPS growth figure this period.

Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)4.32%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-45.06%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)--1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BioNTech (BNTX) at 8.55 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.85 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for NVO.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.55

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
BNTX
8.55
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
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
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

BioNTech (BNTX) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower industry quartile, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 runs a more typical debt-to-equity mix.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.02

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
BNTX
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
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) 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 BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)8.550.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.020.62
Net Debt / EBITDA--0.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BioNTech (BNTX) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports a yield of 29.03%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BNTX
0.00%
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%
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BioNTech (BNTX) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports a payout of 45.36%, ranking against industry peers normally.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

BNTX
0.00%
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%
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%29.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%45.36%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Novo Nordisk (NVO) trades at 10.18 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while BioNTech (BNTX) has no P/E ratio this period.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

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

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
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): BNTX does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; NVO is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while BioNTech (BNTX) at 8.96 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.96

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
BNTX
8.96
Median
7.30
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
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

BioNTech (BNTX) at 1.09 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile against book while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 is valued near its industry’s middle — BNTX is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.

BNTX

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.09

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
Q1
1.69
BNTX
1.09
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
Loading chart…
BioNTech (BNTX) 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 BioNTech (BNTX) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricBNTXNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)--10.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)8.960.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)1.095.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-7.34%18.43%