MTD vs. NVO: Mettler-Toledo vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison
How do Mettler-Toledo (MTD) 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
Mettler-Toledo (MTD) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but MTD is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services while NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals.
Mettler-Toledo (MTD) 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 | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Mettler-Toledo International Inc. | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | Switzerland | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 34.25 billion USD | 177.74 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 14, 1997 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 21.58% | -5.29% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 19.54% | -23.41% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 2.36% | -4.13% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Novo Nordisk (NVO) is heavily traded at around 12.11M shares per day, whereas Mettler-Toledo (MTD) sees a more moderate 197.80K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 31.70% | 45.98% |
| Beta (5Y) | 1.15 | 0.67 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -43.47% | -74.70% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 197.80K | 12.11M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.55 | -0.21 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.75 | -0.28 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Capital efficiency shows on one side only: Novo Nordisk (NVO) earns 58.38% on shareholders’ equity, ranked against its industry; Mettler-Toledo (MTD) has no ROE this period.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
- MTD
- --
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)
Both Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 22.25% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
22.25%
- MTD
- 22.25%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- 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 Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 28.70% 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.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.70%
- Max
- 83.12%
- MTD
- 28.70%
- 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 | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | -- | 58.38% |
| ROA (TTM) | 20.09% | 19.05% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 22.25% | 33.92% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 28.70% | 40.05% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 59.16% | 83.33% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 3.98% 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
Both Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 3.88% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 3.98% | 6.43% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.90% | 20.43% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 3.88% | 1.77% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.06% | 23.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 1.10 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.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.10
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- MTD
- 1.10
- 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 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 26.06 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.06
- MTD
- 26.06
- Max
- 1.42
- 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 | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.10 | 0.85 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 26.06 | 0.62 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.58 | 0.49 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Mettler-Toledo (MTD) 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.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- MTD
- 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)
Mettler-Toledo (MTD) 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.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- MTD
- 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 | MTD | 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 Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 37.38 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
37.38
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- MTD
- 37.38
- 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 Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 8.16 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.16
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- MTD
- 8.16
- Median
- 7.30
- 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)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Mettler-Toledo (MTD) at 442.71 prices above its benchmark range — MTD looks rich relative to book.
MTD
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
442.71
- MTD
- 442.71
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- 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 | MTD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 37.38 | 10.18 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 8.16 | 0.53 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 442.71 | 5.43 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.97% | 18.43% |