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NVO vs. QGEN: Novo Nordisk vs. Qiagen Stock Comparison

How do Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN) 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

Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals while QGEN is classified in Life Sciences Tools & Services.

Qiagen (QGEN) 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 Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
Profile ItemNVOQGEN
NameNovo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADRQiagen N.V.
Country/RegionDenmarkNetherlands
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsLife Sciences Tools & Services
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsLife Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization177.74 billion USD10.39 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateApril 30, 1981June 28, 1996
Security TypeADRCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

NVO
QGEN
GSPC
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN), 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 Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Total Return (1Y)-5.29%17.09%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)-23.41%10.44%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)-4.13%-0.72%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

NVO
QGEN
GSPC
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN), 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 Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)45.98%35.52%
Beta (5Y)0.670.56
Max Drawdown (5Y)-74.70%-41.97%
Avg. Volume (3M)12.11M3.68M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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NVO and QGEN 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 Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)-0.210.36
Sortino Ratio (1Y)-0.280.60

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 10.81% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

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%

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

10.81%

Max
109.18%
QGEN
10.81%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
Q1
-64.05%
Min
-167.77%
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 18.20% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.

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%

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.20%

QGEN
18.20%
Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-17.05%
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 40.05% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.75% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

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%

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.75%

Max
83.12%
QGEN
27.75%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
ROE (TTM)58.38%10.81%
ROA (TTM)19.05%5.68%
Net Margin (TTM)33.92%18.20%
Operating Margin (TTM)40.05%27.75%
Gross Margin (TTM)83.33%67.06%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 5.65% 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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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Qiagen (QGEN) at 409.76% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Revenue Growth (YoY)6.43%5.65%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)20.43%-0.81%
EPS Growth (YoY)1.77%409.76%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)23.52%-0.19%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.63 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.85 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for NVO.

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

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.63

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
Median
5.52
QGEN
2.63
Q1
2.47
Min
0.10
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 and Qiagen (QGEN) at 0.47 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

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

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.47

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
QGEN
0.47
Median
0.15
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Current Ratio (MRQ)0.852.63
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.620.47
Net Debt / EBITDA0.491.08

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 29.03% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 0.71% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

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%

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.71%

QGEN
0.71%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 45.36% and Qiagen (QGEN) at 18.21% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.

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%

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.21%

QGEN
18.21%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
Dividend Yield (TTM)29.03%0.71%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)45.36%18.21%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Qiagen (QGEN) at 27.21 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

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

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

27.21

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
QGEN
27.21
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Qiagen (QGEN) at 4.91 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

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

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.91

Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
QGEN
4.91
Q1
3.01
Min
0.01
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): 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 Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 and Qiagen (QGEN) at 2.99 are valued close to their industries’ norm against book — neither stands out from peers.

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

QGEN

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.99

Max
13.53
Q3
6.54
Median
3.25
QGEN
2.99
Q1
1.69
Min
-5.59
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) vs. Qiagen (QGEN): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Qiagen (QGEN)
MetricNVOQGEN
P/E Ratio (TTM)10.1827.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)0.534.91
P/B Ratio (MRQ)5.432.99
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)18.43%3.62%