Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Novartis (NVS)

Company Profile

Eli Lilly (LLY) and Novartis (NVS) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Eli Lilly (LLY) trades as a standard ordinary-equity line, while Novartis (NVS) is an ADR tied to a foreign-share or depositary-receipt structure — compare with FX exposure, program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Historical Performance

Historical Performance at a Glance

Profitability

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 101.31% and Novartis (NVS) at 31.67% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 34.99% and Novartis (NVS) at 24.06% rank in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into net income more strongly than typical competitors.

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 43.63% and Novartis (NVS) at 30.37% rank in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into operating income more strongly than typical competitors.

Profitability at a Glance

Financial Strength

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.50 and Novartis (NVS) at 0.85 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.39 and Novartis (NVS) at 1.22 run Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) in the higher-leverage quartile of industry peers, indicating more debt relative to equity than typical competitors.

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 20.36 and Novartis (NVS) at 15.76 rank in the top quartile for Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) among industry peers, indicating ample headroom to cover interest payments from operating income or EBIT.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Growth

Revenue Growth

Revenue Growth at a Glance

EPS Growth

EPS Growth at a Glance

Dividend

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 0.57% and Novartis (NVS) at 3.16% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

Novartis (NVS) reports an unusual Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) of 120.63% — outside the typical 0–100% range, indicating either negative earnings (negative ratio) or dividends above current-period earnings (above 100%), both signaling sustainability concerns. Meanwhile Eli Lilly (LLY) reports 22.10%, ranking against industry peers normally.

Dividend at a Glance

Valuation

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 38.63 and Novartis (NVS) at 20.29 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 13.51 and Novartis (NVS) at 4.88 post Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing revenue multiple.

Novartis (NVS) at 8.10 hovers around the typical industry Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Eli Lilly (LLY) at 27.85 sits above its industry benchmark range — an elevated book-value multiple for LLY relative to peers.

Valuation at a Glance