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GMAB vs. NVO: Genmab vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Genmab (GMAB) 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

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

Both Genmab (GMAB) 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 Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemGMABNVO
NameGenmab A/S American Depositary SharesNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionDenmarkDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization32.98 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJune 1, 2009April 30, 1981
Security TypeADRADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

GMAB
NVO
GSPC
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Genmab (GMAB) 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 Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
Total Return (1Y)91.17%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)20.70%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)3.98%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)45.68%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.720.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-61.79%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.09M12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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GMAB 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 Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.90-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)3.82-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Genmab (GMAB) at 12.07% 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.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

12.07%

Max
109.18%
GMAB
12.07%
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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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Genmab (GMAB) at 16.97% also retains a top-quartile share.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

16.97%

Max
18.05%
GMAB
16.97%
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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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Genmab (GMAB) at 37.15% 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.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

37.15%

Max
83.12%
GMAB
37.15%
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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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
ROE (TTM)12.07%58.38%
ROA (TTM)8.24%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)16.97%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)37.15%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)92.67%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Genmab (GMAB) at 19.19% 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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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Genmab (GMAB) at -9.23% 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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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)19.19%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)21.23%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)-9.23%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)8.48%23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Genmab (GMAB) at 2.45 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.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.45

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
GMAB
2.45
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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Genmab (GMAB) 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 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Genmab (GMAB) at 0.82 uses more debt funding than most peers.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.82

Max
1.42
GMAB
0.82
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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Genmab (GMAB) 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 Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.450.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.820.62
Net Debt / EBITDA2.450.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Genmab (GMAB) 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.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Genmab (GMAB) 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.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
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 Genmab (GMAB) at 45.84 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

45.84

Max
85.34
GMAB
45.84
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
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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Genmab (GMAB) 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 Genmab (GMAB) at 7.68 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.68

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
GMAB
7.68
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
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Genmab (GMAB) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

On P/B ratio, both Genmab (GMAB) at 5.36 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

GMAB

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.36

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
GMAB
5.36
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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Genmab (GMAB) 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 Genmab (GMAB) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricGMABNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)45.8410.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)7.680.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.365.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)2.59%18.43%