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.
| Profile Item | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | Ireland | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 15.07 billion USD | 177.74 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 2007 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Return Distribution
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.
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 38.74% | 45.98% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.33 | 0.67 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -42.03% | -74.70% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 878.80K | 12.11M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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%
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%
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%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 0.85 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.35 | 0.62 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.39 | 0.49 |
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%
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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | 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 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
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
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
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 69.46 | 10.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.19 | 0.53 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 3.59 | 5.43 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 11.16% | 18.43% |