MS vs. NVO: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on October 16, 2025

Here’s a clear look at MS and NVO, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

MS is a standard domestic listing, while NVO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.

Symbol	MS	NVO
Company Name	Morgan Stanley	Novo Nordisk A/S
Country	United States	Denmark
GICS Sector	Financials	Health Care
GICS Industry	Capital Markets	Pharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization	248.47 billion USD	266.59 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	February 23, 1993	April 30, 1981
Security Type	Common Stock	ADR

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MS and NVO by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

MS vs. NVO: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NVO
5-Day Price Return	0.23%	2.50%
13-Week Price Return	9.96%	-15.20%
26-Week Price Return	44.21%	-20.75%
52-Week Price Return	44.60%	67.26%
Month-to-Date Return	-2.08%	9.01%
Year-to-Date Return	23.81%	-39.81%
10-Day Avg. Volume	4.95M	5.77M
3-Month Avg. Volume	5.26M	6.56M
3-Month Volatility	17.64%	63.71%
Beta	1.23	1.55

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MS

13.95%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 38.97%
Q3: 22.24%
Median: 13.52%
Q1: 8.61%
Min: -4.25%

MS’s Return on Equity of 13.95% is on par with the norm for the Capital Markets industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NVO

77.86%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.59%
Q3: 19.84%
Median: 11.85%
Q1: 5.40%
Min: -10.91%

NVO’s Return on Equity of 77.86% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MS

13.06%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 69.91%
Q3: 37.24%
Median: 24.30%
Q1: 13.06%
Min: -15.18%

MS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.06% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Capital Markets industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

NVO

35.61%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 40.67%
Q3: 19.07%
Median: 12.31%
Q1: 4.50%
Min: -9.91%

A Net Profit Margin of 35.61% places NVO in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MS

17.07%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 84.86%
Q3: 47.16%
Median: 32.23%
Q1: 18.65%
Min: -21.87%

MS’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.07% is in the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

NVO

45.78%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.78%
Q3: 23.14%
Median: 16.68%
Q1: 7.98%
Min: -7.13%

An Operating Profit Margin of 45.78% places NVO in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NVO
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.95%	77.86%
Return on Assets (TTM)	1.15%	24.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	13.06%	35.61%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	17.07%	45.78%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	54.42%	83.95%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MS

0.29

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 3.37
Q3: 1.81
Median: 1.01
Q1: 0.56
Min: 0.04

For the Capital Markets industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

NVO

0.78

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 4.65
Q3: 2.64
Median: 1.85
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.78

NVO’s Current Ratio of 0.78 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MS

7.68

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 6.52
Q3: 2.79
Median: 0.96
Q1: 0.28
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Capital Markets industry.

NVO

0.59

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 1.75
Q3: 0.82
Median: 0.35
Q1: 0.13
Min: 0.00

NVO’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.59 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MS

1.25

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 107.59
Q3: 48.41
Median: 10.85
Q1: 4.56
Min: -36.26

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Capital Markets industry.

NVO

149.07

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 43.60
Median: 9.83
Q1: 2.37
Min: -42.71

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 149.07, NVO demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NVO
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.78
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.29	0.56
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	7.68	0.59
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	1.25	149.07

Growth

Revenue Growth

MS vs. NVO: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MS vs. NVO: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MS

2.55%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 9.02%
Q3: 4.54%
Median: 2.55%
Q1: 1.27%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Yield of 2.55% is consistent with its peers in the Capital Markets industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NVO

3.06%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 7.14%
Q3: 3.45%
Median: 2.17%
Q1: 0.33%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Yield of 3.06% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MS

43.20%

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 199.38%
Q3: 99.28%
Median: 60.67%
Q1: 32.00%
Min: 0.00%

MS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 43.20% is within the typical range for the Capital Markets industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

NVO

61.60%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 199.58%
Q3: 97.17%
Median: 53.47%
Q1: 22.97%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 61.60% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NVO
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.55%	3.06%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	43.20%	61.60%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MS

16.93

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 51.69
Q3: 29.42
Median: 17.58
Q1: 12.55
Min: 5.59

MS’s P/E Ratio of 16.93 is within the middle range for the Capital Markets industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NVO

15.02

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.19
Q3: 27.91
Median: 20.59
Q1: 15.08
Min: 3.79

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 15.02 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MS

2.21

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 14.65
Q3: 7.29
Median: 4.53
Q1: 2.26
Min: 0.04

In the lower quartile for the Capital Markets industry, MS’s P/S Ratio of 2.21 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.

NVO

5.35

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 8.87
Q3: 4.56
Median: 2.14
Q1: 1.58
Min: 0.11

NVO’s P/S Ratio of 5.35 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MS

2.08

Capital Markets Industry

Max: 10.83
Q3: 5.12
Median: 2.66
Q1: 1.19
Min: 0.37

MS’s P/B Ratio of 2.08 is within the conventional range for the Capital Markets industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

NVO

8.87

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.78
Q3: 4.99
Median: 2.48
Q1: 1.53
Min: 0.59

NVO’s P/B Ratio of 8.87 is in the upper tier for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

MS vs. NVO: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Capital Markets and Pharmaceuticals industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MS	NVO
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.93	15.02
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.21	5.35
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.08	8.87
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	11.36	25.32