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JAZZ vs. NVO: Jazz Pharmaceuticals vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemJAZZNVO
NameJazz Pharmaceuticals plcNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionIrelandDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization15.07 billion USD177.74 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateJune 1, 2007April 30, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

JAZZ
NVO
GSPC
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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
Total Return (1Y)84.44%-5.29%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)27.57%-23.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)12.88%-4.13%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

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

Risk Metrics

Novo Nordisk (NVO) is heavily traded at around 12.11M shares per day, whereas Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) sees a more moderate 878.80K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.

Risk profile metrics for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)38.74%45.98%
Beta (5Y)0.330.67
Max Drawdown (5Y)-42.03%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)878.80K12.11M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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JAZZ 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)2.07-0.21
Sortino Ratio (1Y)4.14-0.28

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 5.05% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for NVO.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.05%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
JAZZ
5.05%
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 4.37% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.37%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
JAZZ
4.37%
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 30.17% 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.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

30.17%

Max
83.12%
JAZZ
30.17%
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
ROE (TTM)5.05%58.38%
ROA (TTM)6.92%19.05%
Net Margin (TTM)4.37%33.92%
Operating Margin (TTM)30.17%40.05%
Gross Margin (TTM)91.10%83.33%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 4.88% 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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at -167.51% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.

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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)4.88%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)5.26%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)-167.51%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 1.82 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.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.82

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
JAZZ
1.82
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 1.35 uses more debt funding than most peers.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.35

Max
1.42
JAZZ
1.35
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.820.85
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.350.62
Net Debt / EBITDA1.390.49

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

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

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 69.46 sits in the richer quartile — a clear split in what investors pay for each dollar of trailing earnings.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

69.46

Max
85.34
JAZZ
69.46
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 3.19 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.19

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
JAZZ
3.19
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 3.59 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

JAZZ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

3.59

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
JAZZ
3.59
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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Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJAZZNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)69.4610.18
P/S Ratio (TTM)3.190.53
P/B Ratio (MRQ)3.595.43
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)11.16%18.43%