NVO vs. SNY: Novo Nordisk vs. Sanofi Stock Comparison
How do Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Sanofi (SNY) 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 Sanofi (SNY) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Sanofi (SNY) trade as ADRs — their core financials are comparable, but keep FX, depositary-program fees, and dividend withholding in view for each.
| Profile Item | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR | Sanofi ADR |
| Country/Region | Denmark | France |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 177.74 billion USD | 112.71 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | April 30, 1981 | July 1, 2002 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -5.29% | 2.73% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -23.41% | 6.89% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -4.13% | 3.16% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 45.98% | 23.60% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.67 | 0.28 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.70% | -33.52% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 12.11M | 3.29M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.21 | -0.07 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.28 | -0.10 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Sanofi (SNY) at 5.72% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for NVO.
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%
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.72%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- SNY
- 5.72%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Sanofi (SNY) at 8.20% also retains a top-quartile share.
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%
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.20%
- Max
- 18.05%
- SNY
- 8.20%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 40.05% and Sanofi (SNY) at 30.89% 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%
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.89%
- Max
- 83.12%
- SNY
- 30.89%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 58.38% | 5.72% |
| ROA (TTM) | 19.05% | 5.31% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 33.92% | 8.20% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 40.05% | 30.89% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 83.33% | 73.68% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% and Sanofi (SNY) at 5.49% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 1.77% and Sanofi (SNY) at 39.43% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.43% | 5.49% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 20.43% | 4.82% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 1.77% | 39.43% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 23.52% | 6.02% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.85 and Sanofi (SNY) at 1.12 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
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
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.12
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- SNY
- 1.12
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 and Sanofi (SNY) at 0.27 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
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.27
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- SNY
- 0.27
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 1.12 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.62 | 0.27 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.49 | 0.96 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Sanofi (SNY) 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.
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%
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- SNY
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Sanofi (SNY) reports payout ratio above 100% at 119.86%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Novo Nordisk (NVO) reports 45.36%, ranking against industry peers normally.
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%
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
119.86%
- SNY
- 119.86%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 29.03% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.36% | 119.86% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Sanofi (SNY) at 23.40 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
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.40
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- SNY
- 23.40
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 and Sanofi (SNY) at 2.21 fetch a relatively low price per dollar of sales, landing in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.
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
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.21
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- SNY
- 2.21
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Sanofi (SNY) at 1.38 sits in the lower P/B ratio quartile against book while Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 is valued near its industry’s middle — SNY is cheaper on assets, though weigh it against ROE and asset quality.
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
SNY
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.38
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- SNY
- 1.38
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | NVO | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 10.18 | 23.40 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 2.21 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 1.38 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 18.43% | 7.17% |