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

Updated on October 2, 2025

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

Company Profile

GE 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	GE	NVO
Company Name	GE Aerospace	Novo Nordisk A/S
Country	United States	Denmark
GICS Sector	Industrials	Health Care
GICS Industry	Industrial Conglomerates	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	319.06 billion USD	241.93 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	April 30, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of GE 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	GE	NVO
5-Day Price Return	0.17%	-7.24%
13-Week Price Return	16.87%	-21.94%
26-Week Price Return	45.06%	-34.82%
52-Week Price Return	62.27%	67.26%
Month-to-Date Return	9.31%	-3.94%
Year-to-Date Return	80.36%	-44.79%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.76M	6.48M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.78M	6.47M
3-Month Volatility	22.47%	62.40%
Beta	1.59	1.56

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

GE

40.51%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 21.93%
Q3: 13.64%
Median: 9.41%
Q1: 5.80%
Min: -3.73%

GE’s Return on Equity of 40.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

NVO

77.86%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.59%
Q3: 19.84%
Median: 11.85%
Q1: 5.40%
Min: -10.91%

NVO’s Return on Equity of 77.86% 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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

18.64%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 26.43%
Q3: 13.08%
Median: 9.39%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -2.43%

A Net Profit Margin of 18.64% places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

NVO

35.61%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 40.67%
Q3: 19.07%
Median: 12.31%
Q1: 4.50%
Min: -9.91%

A Net Profit Margin of 35.61% places NVO in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

GE

15.53%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 27.02%
Q3: 17.23%
Median: 12.90%
Q1: 8.32%
Min: -3.91%

GE’s Operating Profit Margin of 15.53% is around the midpoint for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

NVO

45.78%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.78%
Q3: 23.14%
Median: 16.68%
Q1: 7.98%
Min: -7.13%

An Operating Profit Margin of 45.78% 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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	GE	NVO
Return on Equity (TTM)	40.51%	77.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.22%	24.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	18.64%	35.61%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	15.53%	45.78%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	35.97%	83.95%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

GE

1.04

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.40
Q3: 1.69
Median: 1.35
Q1: 1.14
Min: 0.56

GE’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates 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: 4.65
Q3: 2.64
Median: 1.85
Q1: 1.26
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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

GE

0.99

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 2.27
Q3: 1.49
Median: 0.91
Q1: 0.63
Min: 0.24

GE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.99 is typical for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

NVO

0.59

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 1.75
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.35
Q1: 0.13
Min: 0.00

NVO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

GE

5.01

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 19.80
Q3: 10.68
Median: 4.59
Q1: 2.73
Min: -2.15

GE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.01 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Industrial Conglomerates industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

NVO

149.07

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 43.60
Median: 9.83
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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	GE	NVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.04	0.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.73	0.56
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.99	0.59
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	5.01	149.07

Growth

Revenue Growth

GE 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

GE 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)

GE

0.41%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 9.82%
Q3: 5.04%
Median: 3.09%
Q1: 1.67%
Min: 0.00%

GE’s Dividend Yield of 0.41% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.

NVO

3.34%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 7.14%
Q3: 3.45%
Median: 2.17%
Q1: 0.33%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Yield of 3.34% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

GE

16.78%

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 182.48%
Q3: 97.89%
Median: 55.48%
Q1: 31.63%
Min: 1.76%

GE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.78% is in the lower quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

NVO

61.60%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 199.58%
Q3: 97.17%
Median: 53.47%
Q1: 22.97%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.60% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	GE	NVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.41%	3.34%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	16.78%	61.60%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

GE

40.83

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 45.17
Q3: 25.68
Median: 15.16
Q1: 8.58
Min: 0.79

A P/E Ratio of 40.83 places GE in the upper quartile for the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.

NVO

13.78

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.19
Q3: 27.91
Median: 20.59
Q1: 15.08
Min: 3.79

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 13.78 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

GE

7.61

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 4.18
Q3: 2.15
Median: 0.69
Q1: 0.41
Min: 0.09

With a P/S Ratio of 7.61, GE trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

NVO

4.90

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 8.87
Q3: 4.56
Median: 2.14
Q1: 1.58
Min: 0.11

NVO’s P/S Ratio of 4.90 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

GE

14.26

Industrial Conglomerates Industry

Max: 5.44
Q3: 2.68
Median: 0.97
Q1: 0.52
Min: 0.04

At 14.26, GE’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial Conglomerates industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

NVO

8.87

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.78
Q3: 4.99
Median: 2.48
Q1: 1.53
Min: 0.59

NVO’s P/B Ratio of 8.87 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.

GE vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Industrial Conglomerates and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	GE	NVO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	40.83	13.78
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	7.61	4.90
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	14.26	8.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	57.66	23.23