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GILD vs. NVO: Gilead Sciences vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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

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

Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemGILDNVO
NameGilead Sciences 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 Capitalization207.00 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJanuary 22, 1992April 30, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

GILD
NVO
GSPC
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Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Total Return (1Y)45.69%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)35.30%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)25.00%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)27.57%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.360.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-26.59%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)5.98M12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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GILD 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.50-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)2.48-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a negative ROE of -22.45%; 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.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-22.45%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
GILD
-22.45%
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Gilead Sciences (GILD) reports a negative net margin of -12.46%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 33.92%, ranking against industry peers normally.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-12.46%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
GILD
-12.46%
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 42.43% 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.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

42.43%

Max
83.12%
GILD
42.43%
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
ROE (TTM)-22.45%58.38%
ROA (TTM)13.47%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)-12.46%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)42.43%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)79.95%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 2.39% 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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 1,684.21% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)2.39%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)2.57%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)1,684.21%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)23.04%23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 1.38 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.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.38

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
GILD
1.38
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 2.02 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.02

GILD
2.02
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.380.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)2.020.62
Net Debt / EBITDA1.250.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 1.94% 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.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.94%

GILD
1.94%
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 43.46% 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.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

43.46%

GILD
43.46%
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.94%29.03%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)43.46%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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) has no P/E ratio this period.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

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

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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): GILD 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 6.68 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.68

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
GILD
6.68
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Gilead Sciences (GILD) at 15.88 prices above its benchmark range — GILD looks rich relative to book.

GILD

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

15.88

GILD
15.88
Max
13.53
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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Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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 Gilead Sciences (GILD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGILDNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)--10.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)6.680.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)15.885.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)5.16%18.43%