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JNJ vs. NVO: Johnson & Johnson vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison

How do Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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

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.

Company profile comparison for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
Profile ItemJNJNVO
NameJohnson & JohnsonNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesDenmark
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization603.27 billion USD218.40 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962April 30, 1981
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

JNJ
NVO
GSPC
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Total Return (1Y)56.29%-20.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)17.14%-13.59%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)11.22%4.36%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

JNJ
NVO
GSPC
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)18.09%51.79%
Beta (5Y)0.240.75
Max Drawdown (5Y)-18.41%-74.70%
Avg. Volume (3M)8.24M13.81M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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JNJ 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)2.89-0.47
Sortino Ratio (1Y)4.86-0.61

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Novo Nordisk (NVO) earns 71.40% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has no ROE this period.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
99.40%
Q3
2.50%
Median
-31.42%
Q1
-62.21%
Min
-157.07%
JNJ
--

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

71.40%

Max
99.40%
NVO
71.40%
Q3
2.50%
Median
-31.42%
Q1
-62.21%
Min
-157.07%
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): JNJ does not report ROE, so it has no value marker; NVO is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 21.48% 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

21.48%

JNJ
21.48%
Max
11.75%
Q3
2.69%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-3.38%
Min
-11.53%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

37.21%

NVO
37.21%
Max
11.75%
Q3
2.69%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-3.38%
Min
-11.53%
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 28.61% 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

28.61%

Max
100.30%
JNJ
28.61%
Q3
4.66%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-121.08%
Min
-309.54%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

61.57%

Max
100.30%
NVO
61.57%
Q3
4.66%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-121.08%
Min
-309.54%
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
ROE (TTM)--71.40%
ROA (TTM)--19.25%
Net Margin (TTM)21.48%37.21%
Operating Margin (TTM)28.61%61.57%
Gross Margin (TTM)68.10%83.20%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.05% 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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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 90.50% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for JNJ.

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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Revenue Growth (YoY)6.05%6.43%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)5.60%20.43%
EPS Growth (YoY)90.50%1.77%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)17.90%23.52%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Short-term liquidity can only be read on one side of this pairing: Novo Nordisk (NVO) shows current ratio of 0.79 against its industry benchmark, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has no reading this period.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
26.16
Q3
12.33
Median
5.81
Q1
2.71
Min
0.28
JNJ
--

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.79

Max
26.16
Q3
12.33
Median
5.81
Q1
2.71
NVO
0.79
Min
0.28
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): JNJ does not report current ratio, so it has no value marker; NVO is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

Debt / Equity (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
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)--0.79
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.680.72
Net Debt / EBITDA0.950.72

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 2.11% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 23.58% 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

2.11%

JNJ
2.11%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

23.58%

NVO
23.58%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 60.79% 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

60.79%

JNJ
60.79%
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%
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Novo Nordisk (NVO): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.11%23.58%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)60.79%42.59%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 11.90 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 28.91 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

28.91

Max
79.93
Q3
47.39
JNJ
28.91
Median
25.31
Q1
15.26
Min
2.05

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

11.90

Max
79.93
Q3
47.39
Median
25.31
Q1
15.26
NVO
11.90
Min
2.05
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 0.67 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 6.16 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

6.16

Max
63.16
Q3
28.29
Median
8.07
JNJ
6.16
Q1
3.52
Min
0.01

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.67

Max
63.16
Q3
28.29
Median
8.07
Q1
3.52
NVO
0.67
Min
0.01
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 7.43 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 7.08 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.43

Max
16.09
Q3
7.48
JNJ
7.43
Median
3.80
Q1
1.72
Min
-5.70

NVO

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.08

Max
16.09
Q3
7.48
NVO
7.08
Median
3.80
Q1
1.72
Min
-5.70
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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) 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 Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Novo Nordisk (NVO)
MetricJNJNVO
P/E Ratio (TTM)28.9111.90
P/S Ratio (TTM)6.160.67
P/B Ratio (MRQ)7.437.08
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)---5.51%