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EXEL vs. NVO: Exelixis vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Exelixis (EXEL) 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

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

Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemEXELNVO
NameExelixis Inc.Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization16.98 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateApril 17, 2000April 30, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

EXEL
NVO
GSPC
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Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Total Return (1Y)74.98%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)50.33%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)31.10%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

EXEL
NVO
GSPC
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Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)34.17%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.410.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-35.41%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.33M12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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EXEL 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)2.07-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)3.23-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 44.32% 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.32%

Max
109.18%
EXEL
44.32%
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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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 35.45% 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

35.45%

EXEL
35.45%
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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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 40.75% 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

40.75%

Max
83.12%
EXEL
40.75%
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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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
ROE (TTM)44.32%58.38%
ROA (TTM)23.52%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)35.45%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)40.75%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)96.26%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 6.98% 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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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 57.95% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)6.98%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)12.93%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)57.95%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)70.59%23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Exelixis (EXEL) at 3.21 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.21

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
EXEL
3.21
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
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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Exelixis (EXEL) at 0.09 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.09

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
EXEL
0.09
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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Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)3.210.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.090.62
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.710.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Exelixis (EXEL) 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

EXEL
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%
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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Exelixis (EXEL) 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.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

EXEL
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%
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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%29.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%45.36%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Exelixis (EXEL) at 20.83 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

20.83

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
EXEL
20.83
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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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Exelixis (EXEL) at 6.80 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.80

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
EXEL
6.80
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
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Exelixis (EXEL) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Exelixis (EXEL) at 9.28 carries an above-peer premium to book — EXEL is pricier on assets.

EXEL

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

9.28

Max
13.53
EXEL
9.28
Q3
6.54
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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Exelixis (EXEL) 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 Exelixis (EXEL) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricEXELNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)20.8310.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)6.800.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)9.285.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)4.47%18.43%