NVO vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NVO and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
NVO trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, PLTR is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Novo Nordisk A/S | Palantir Technologies Inc. |
| Country | Denmark | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 263.10 billion USD | 410.58 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | April 30, 1981 | September 30, 2020 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NVO and PLTR 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 6.50% | -3.24% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.76% | 28.81% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -27.57% | 105.06% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 67.26% | 361.64% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.69% | -5.13% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -40.54% | 128.84% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.07M | 54.33M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.51M | 71.82M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 63.79% | 43.05% |
| Beta | 1.56 | 1.50 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
PLTR
14.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 66.28%
- Q3
- 21.28%
- Median
- 9.33%
- Q1
- -8.77%
- Min
- -48.16%
PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
PLTR
22.18%
Software Industry
- Max
- 51.92%
- Q3
- 19.23%
- Median
- 6.98%
- Q1
- -7.14%
- Min
- -41.00%
A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
PLTR
16.55%
Software Industry
- Max
- 60.40%
- Q3
- 21.25%
- Median
- 9.90%
- Q1
- -4.97%
- Min
- -43.50%
PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 77.86% | 14.64% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.22% | 11.65% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 35.61% | 22.18% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.78% | 16.55% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 83.95% | 80.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PLTR
6.32
Software Industry
- Max
- 4.29
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.25
PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PLTR
0.00
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.16
- Q3
- 0.86
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
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.
PLTR
-1.53
Software Industry
- Max
- 89.65
- Q3
- 32.64
- Median
- 1.00
- Q1
- -9.84
- Min
- -71.23
PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.78 | 6.32 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.56 | 6.19 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.59 | 0.00 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 149.07 | -1.53 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NVO
3.10%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO’s Dividend Yield of 3.10% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.22%
- Q3
- 0.11%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
PLTR
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.29%
- Q3
- 2.41%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PLTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.10% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 61.60% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NVO
14.83
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 14.83 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PLTR
541.33
Software Industry
- Max
- 145.74
- Q3
- 94.88
- Median
- 45.35
- Q1
- 26.66
- Min
- 8.80
At 541.33, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NVO
5.28
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
NVO’s P/S Ratio of 5.28 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.
PLTR
120.09
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.67
- Q3
- 13.68
- Median
- 8.28
- Q1
- 4.95
- Min
- 0.90
With a P/S Ratio of 120.09, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
PLTR
54.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.67
- Q3
- 14.92
- Median
- 8.52
- Q1
- 3.89
- Min
- 0.38
At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NVO | PLTR |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 14.83 | 541.33 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.28 | 120.09 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 8.87 | 54.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.02 | 241.82 |