JNJ vs. NVO: Johnson & Johnson vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison
This page compares Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) with Novo Nordisk (NVO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 57.60% | -43.24% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 16.96% | 51.89% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 0.77 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 7.68M | 16.09M |
Company Profile
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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.
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Johnson & Johnson | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | 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 | 579.83 billion USD | 194.35 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.30 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 27.94 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.94
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- JNJ
- 27.94
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
10.30
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- NVO
- 10.30
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.02 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.02
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- JNJ
- 6.02
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.59
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- NVO
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.22 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 7.14 carries an above-peer premium to book — JNJ is pricier on assets.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.14
- Max
- 13.23
- JNJ
- 7.14
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.22
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- NVO
- 6.22
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.94 | 10.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 6.02 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.14 | 6.22 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.16% | -6.19% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 26.42% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 71.40% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.42%
- Max
- 101.32%
- JNJ
- 26.42%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
71.40%
- Max
- 101.32%
- NVO
- 71.40%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 21.83% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 37.21% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.83%
- JNJ
- 21.83%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
37.21%
- NVO
- 37.21%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 27.41% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 61.57% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.41%
- Max
- 100.30%
- JNJ
- 27.41%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
61.57%
- Max
- 100.30%
- NVO
- 61.57%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 26.42% | 71.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.42% | 19.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.83% | 37.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.41% | 61.57% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.04% | 83.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 6.05% | 6.43% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 5.60% | 20.43% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 90.50% | 1.77% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 17.90% | 23.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.03 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.79 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.03
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- JNJ
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.23
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.79
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- NVO
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.68 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.72 uses more debt funding than most peers.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.68
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.68
- JNJ
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- NVO
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.03 | 0.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 0.72 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.96 | 0.72 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 2.23% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 4.11% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.23%
- JNJ
- 2.23%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.11%
- NVO
- 4.11%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 60.25% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 42.59% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.
JNJ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
60.25%
- JNJ
- 60.25%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
42.59%
- NVO
- 42.59%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.23% | 4.11% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 60.25% | 42.59% |