CSCO vs. NVO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on November 18, 2025

Here’s a clear look at CSCO and NVO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

CSCO is a standard domestic listing, while NVO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
Company Name	Cisco Systems, Inc.	Novo Nordisk A/S
Country	United States	Denmark
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Health Care
GICS Industry	Communications Equipment	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	313.01 billion USD	216.69 billion USD
Exchange	NasdaqGS	NYSE
Listing Date	February 16, 1990	April 30, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of CSCO and NVO 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
5-Day Price Return	8.20%	5.55%
13-Week Price Return	17.82%	-10.49%
26-Week Price Return	26.25%	-29.53%
52-Week Price Return	31.80%	-59.81%
Month-to-Date Return	6.69%	-1.55%
Year-to-Date Return	31.76%	-50.17%
10-Day Avg. Volume	29.12M	8.31M
3-Month Avg. Volume	19.91M	7.13M
3-Month Volatility	22.61%	44.27%
Beta	0.85	1.58

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

CSCO

22.31%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 31.28%
Q3: 24.67%
Median: 13.12%
Q1: 4.60%
Min: -12.73%

CSCO’s Return on Equity of 22.31% is on par with the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NVO

66.95%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.95%
Q3: 20.34%
Median: 11.59%
Q1: 3.32%
Min: -10.91%

NVO’s Return on Equity of 66.95% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

CSCO

17.90%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 28.72%
Q3: 14.02%
Median: 5.41%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: -13.11%

A Net Profit Margin of 17.90% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

NVO

32.88%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 39.07%
Q3: 19.28%
Median: 13.48%
Q1: 5.73%
Min: -8.86%

A Net Profit Margin of 32.88% places NVO in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

CSCO

22.12%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 33.69%
Q3: 15.81%
Median: 6.02%
Q1: 3.00%
Min: -4.94%

An Operating Profit Margin of 22.12% places CSCO in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

NVO

42.03%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.58%
Q3: 24.35%
Median: 18.05%
Q1: 7.58%
Min: -11.88%

An Operating Profit Margin of 42.03% places NVO 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
Return on Equity (TTM)	22.31%	66.95%
Return on Assets (TTM)	8.53%	21.29%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	17.90%	32.88%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	22.12%	42.03%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	64.85%	82.05%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

CSCO

0.93

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 3.28
Q3: 2.10
Median: 1.52
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.91

CSCO’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the Communications Equipment industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

NVO

0.78

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 5.45
Q3: 2.99
Median: 1.98
Q1: 1.29
Min: 0.78

NVO’s Current Ratio of 0.78 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

CSCO

0.60

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 1.44
Q3: 0.96
Median: 0.43
Q1: 0.21
Min: 0.00

CSCO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 is typical for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NVO

0.60

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 1.79
Q3: 0.78
Median: 0.31
Q1: 0.08
Min: 0.00

NVO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

CSCO

22.76

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 55.49
Q3: 34.19
Median: 8.92
Q1: 3.73
Min: -9.94

CSCO’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Communications Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NVO

149.07

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 43.60
Median: 10.15
Q1: 2.37
Min: -42.71

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 149.07, NVO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.93	0.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.83	0.57
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.60	0.60
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	22.76	149.07

Growth

Revenue Growth

CSCO vs. NVO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

CSCO vs. NVO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

CSCO

2.10%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 2.99%
Q3: 2.30%
Median: 0.91%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CSCO’s Dividend Yield of 2.10% is consistent with its peers in the Communications Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NVO

3.77%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 6.72%
Q3: 3.48%
Median: 1.90%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, NVO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

CSCO

62.56%

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 111.16%
Q3: 61.16%
Median: 30.78%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

CSCO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 62.56% is in the upper quartile for the Communications Equipment 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.

NVO

68.98%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 199.58%
Q3: 85.87%
Median: 49.36%
Q1: 1.12%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 68.98% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.10%	3.77%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	62.56%	68.98%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

CSCO

29.77

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 74.67
Q3: 56.42
Median: 31.00
Q1: 15.93
Min: 3.89

CSCO’s P/E Ratio of 29.77 is within the middle range for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NVO

13.31

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 52.64
Q3: 29.89
Median: 20.77
Q1: 13.37
Min: 5.71

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 13.31 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

CSCO

5.33

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 11.84
Q3: 5.68
Median: 2.55
Q1: 1.24
Min: 0.40

CSCO’s P/S Ratio of 5.33 aligns with the market consensus for the Communications Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

NVO

4.38

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 8.74
Q3: 4.66
Median: 2.37
Q1: 1.67
Min: 0.11

NVO’s P/S Ratio of 4.38 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

CSCO

6.00

Communications Equipment Industry

Max: 6.02
Q3: 6.01
Median: 3.83
Q1: 2.41
Min: 0.42

CSCO’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 is within the conventional range for the Communications Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

NVO

6.88

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.86
Q3: 5.28
Median: 2.48
Q1: 1.57
Min: 0.59

NVO’s P/B Ratio of 6.88 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.

CSCO vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Communications Equipment and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	CSCO	NVO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	29.77	13.31
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	5.33	4.38
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	6.00	6.88
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	24.15	21.18