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.
| Profile Item | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Genmab A/S American Depositary Shares | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | Denmark | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 32.98 billion USD | 177.74 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 2009 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 45.68% | 45.98% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.72 | 0.67 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -61.79% | -74.70% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 4.09M | 12.11M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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%
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%
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%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.45 | 0.85 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.82 | 0.62 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.45 | 0.49 |
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%
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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
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
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | GMAB | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 45.84 | 10.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 7.68 | 0.53 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.36 | 5.43 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 2.59% | 18.43% |