ILMN vs. NVS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ILMN and NVS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ILMN is a standard domestic listing, while NVS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Illumina, Inc. | Novartis AG |
| Country | United States | Switzerland |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 15.72 billion USD | 254.99 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 28, 2000 | November 7, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ILMN and NVS 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 | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 10.92% | 2.34% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 4.19% | 2.27% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 24.28% | 2.04% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -21.59% | 9.24% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.68% | -1.03% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -23.48% | 12.87% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.87M | 2.80M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.97M | 2.81M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 43.48% | 18.12% |
| Beta | 1.40 | -0.01 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ILMN
55.15%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
ILMN’s Return on Equity of 55.15% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
NVS
32.56%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVS’s Return on Equity of 32.56% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ILMN
29.37%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 29.37% places ILMN in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NVS
24.90%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.90% places NVS 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)
ILMN
30.21%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.21% places ILMN in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
NVS
30.03%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.03% places NVS 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 | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 55.15% | 32.56% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 20.47% | 13.32% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.37% | 24.90% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.21% | 30.03% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 67.09% | 76.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ILMN
1.81
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
ILMN’s Current Ratio of 1.81 aligns with the median group of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NVS
0.82
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
NVS’s Current Ratio of 0.82 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)
ILMN
0.88
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
ILMN’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.88. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NVS
0.77
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
NVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 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)
ILMN
-2.28
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
ILMN has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -2.28. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
NVS
22.55
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- -42.71
NVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.55 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.81 | 0.82 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.28 | 0.62 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -2.28 | 22.55 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ILMN
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ILMN currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
NVS
3.27%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS’s Dividend Yield of 3.27% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ILMN
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ILMN has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
NVS
102.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.24% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 102.24% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ILMN
12.42
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, ILMN’s P/E Ratio of 12.42 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
NVS
17.49
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
NVS’s P/E Ratio of 17.49 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ILMN
3.65
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
ILMN’s P/S Ratio of 3.65 aligns with the market consensus for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
NVS
4.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
NVS’s P/S Ratio of 4.35 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)
ILMN
6.69
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
ILMN’s P/B Ratio of 6.69 is in the upper tier for the Life Sciences Tools & 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.
NVS
6.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
NVS’s P/B Ratio of 6.06 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 | ILMN | NVS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.42 | 17.49 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.65 | 4.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.69 | 6.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 15.16 | 14.21 |