IBM vs. NVO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IBM and NVO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
IBM 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 | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | International Business Machines Corporation | Novo Nordisk A/S |
| Country | United States | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | IT Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 281.44 billion USD | 216.69 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 IBM 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.11% | 5.55% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 27.52% | -10.49% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 18.21% | -29.53% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 44.93% | -59.81% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -0.56% | -1.55% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 39.06% | -50.17% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 4.95M | 8.31M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 5.47M | 7.13M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.54% | 44.27% |
| Beta | 0.68 | 1.58 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IBM
28.86%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 37.08%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 14.70%
- Q1
- 6.70%
- Min
- -8.16%
In the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, IBM’s Return on Equity of 28.86% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NVO
66.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.95%
- Q3
- 20.34%
- Median
- 11.59%
- Q1
- 3.32%
- Min
- -10.91%
NVO’s Return on Equity of 66.95% 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
12.09%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 17.01%
- Q3
- 11.02%
- Median
- 6.91%
- Q1
- 3.07%
- Min
- -5.13%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.09% places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NVO
32.88%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.07%
- Q3
- 19.28%
- Median
- 13.48%
- Q1
- 5.73%
- Min
- -8.86%
A Net Profit Margin of 32.88% places NVO in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
IBM
14.51%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 23.01%
- Q3
- 15.32%
- Median
- 9.57%
- Q1
- 4.91%
- Min
- -9.58%
IBM’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.51% is around the midpoint for the IT Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NVO
42.03%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.58%
- Q3
- 24.35%
- Median
- 18.05%
- Q1
- 7.58%
- Min
- -11.88%
An Operating Profit Margin of 42.03% 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 28.86% | 66.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.48% | 21.29% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.09% | 32.88% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.51% | 42.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 57.81% | 82.05% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
0.93
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 3.02
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- 1.36
- Q1
- 1.02
- Min
- 0.49
IBM’s Current Ratio of 0.93 falls into the lower quartile for the IT Services 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
- 5.45
- Q3
- 2.99
- Median
- 1.98
- Q1
- 1.29
- 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
2.26
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 2.55
- Q3
- 1.30
- Median
- 0.55
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the IT Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.26. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NVO
0.60
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 0.78
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.08
- Min
- 0.00
NVO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.60 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
IBM
45.57
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 129.00
- Q3
- 56.00
- Median
- 11.69
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -28.15
IBM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 45.57 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the IT Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NVO
149.07
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 10.15
- 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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.93 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | 0.57 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.26 | 0.60 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 45.57 | 149.07 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IBM
2.20%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 4.66%
- Q3
- 2.02%
- Median
- 0.66%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.20%, IBM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the IT Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
NVO
3.77%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.72%
- Q3
- 3.48%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, NVO offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
IBM
78.74%
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 93.78%
- Q3
- 63.22%
- Median
- 24.64%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IBM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 78.74% is in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
NVO
68.98%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 85.87%
- Median
- 49.36%
- Q1
- 1.12%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 68.98% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.20% | 3.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 78.74% | 68.98% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IBM
35.83
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 45.03
- Q3
- 30.25
- Median
- 21.01
- Q1
- 16.50
- Min
- 0.00
A P/E Ratio of 35.83 places IBM in the upper quartile for the IT Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
NVO
13.31
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 52.64
- Q3
- 29.89
- Median
- 20.77
- Q1
- 13.37
- Min
- 5.71
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 13.31 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IBM
4.33
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 5.24
- Q3
- 4.01
- Median
- 2.18
- Q1
- 1.08
- Min
- 0.00
IBM’s P/S Ratio of 4.33 is in the upper echelon for the IT Services 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.
NVO
4.38
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.74
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 1.67
- Min
- 0.11
NVO’s P/S Ratio of 4.38 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
IBM
9.42
IT Services Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 5.79
- Median
- 3.70
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.79
IBM’s P/B Ratio of 9.42 is in the upper tier for the IT Services 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.
NVO
6.88
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.86
- Q3
- 5.28
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.59
NVO’s P/B Ratio of 6.88 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | IBM | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 35.83 | 13.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.33 | 4.38 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 9.42 | 6.88 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.67 | 21.18 |