IQV vs. NVO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at IQV and NVO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
IQV 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 | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | IQVIA Holdings Inc. | Novo Nordisk A/S |
| Country | United States | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 34.10 billion USD | 266.59 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 9, 2013 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of IQV 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 | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -1.83% | 2.50% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 23.81% | -15.20% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 19.63% | -20.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -10.99% | 67.26% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.61% | 9.01% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 2.08% | -39.81% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.49M | 5.77M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.79M | 6.56M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 48.37% | 63.71% |
| Beta | 1.37 | 1.55 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
IQV
19.96%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.51%
- Median
- 6.47%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
In the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s Return on Equity of 19.96% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NVO
77.86%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
NVO’s Return on Equity of 77.86% 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)
IQV
7.88%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 32.18%
- Q3
- 18.30%
- Median
- 10.19%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- -2.05%
IQV’s Net Profit Margin of 7.88% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
NVO
35.61%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 35.61% 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)
IQV
13.85%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 38.39%
- Q3
- 21.40%
- Median
- 13.57%
- Q1
- 8.38%
- Min
- -3.51%
IQV’s Operating Profit Margin of 13.85% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
NVO
45.78%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.78% 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 | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 19.96% | 77.86% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.50% | 24.22% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.88% | 35.61% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.85% | 45.78% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 34.25% | 83.95% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
IQV
0.84
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.46
- Q3
- 2.78
- Median
- 1.91
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.43
IQV’s Current Ratio of 0.84 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & 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
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- 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)
IQV
2.68
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.74
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.68, IQV operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
NVO
0.59
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
NVO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 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)
IQV
3.68
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 45.00
- Q3
- 27.84
- Median
- 7.16
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -14.08
IQV’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.68 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & 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
- 9.83
- 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 | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 0.78 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.81 | 0.56 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.68 | 0.59 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.68 | 149.07 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.41%
- Q3
- 0.65%
- Median
- 0.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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.
NVO
3.06%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO’s Dividend Yield of 3.06% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
IQV
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 113.14%
- Q3
- 61.34%
- Median
- 17.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
IQV 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.
NVO
61.60%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.60% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.06% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 61.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
IQV
27.64
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 75.35
- Q3
- 51.00
- Median
- 32.93
- Q1
- 25.27
- Min
- 1.43
IQV’s P/E Ratio of 27.64 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
NVO
15.02
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 15.02 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
IQV
2.18
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 10.49
- Q3
- 6.43
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 2.88
- Min
- 1.08
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, IQV’s P/S Ratio of 2.18 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
NVO
5.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
NVO’s P/S Ratio of 5.35 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
IQV
4.72
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 6.69
- Q3
- 5.00
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 2.38
- Min
- 0.93
IQV’s P/B Ratio of 4.72 is within the conventional range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
NVO
8.87
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
NVO’s P/B Ratio of 8.87 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 | IQV | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.64 | 15.02 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.18 | 5.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.72 | 8.87 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 17.01 | 25.32 |