NVO vs. UTHR: Novo Nordisk vs. United Therapeutics Stock Comparison
How do Novo Nordisk (NVO) and United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but NVO is classified in Pharmaceuticals while UTHR is classified in Biotechnology.
United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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 | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR | United Therapeutics Corporation |
| Country/Region | Denmark | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 177.74 billion USD | 23.94 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | April 30, 1981 | June 17, 1999 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -5.29% | 28.77% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -23.41% | 37.63% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -4.13% | 23.78% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Novo Nordisk (NVO) is heavily traded at around 12.11M shares per day, whereas United Therapeutics (UTHR) sees a more moderate 694.55K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 45.98% | 35.00% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.67 | 0.49 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.70% | -33.00% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 12.11M | 694.55K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.21 | 0.70 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.28 | 1.29 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 19.13% 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
19.13%
- Max
- 109.18%
- UTHR
- 19.13%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 38.61% 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
38.61%
- UTHR
- 38.61%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 40.05% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 28.99% 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
28.99%
- Max
- 83.12%
- UTHR
- 28.99%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 58.38% | 19.13% |
| ROA (TTM) | 19.05% | 10.91% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 33.92% | 38.61% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 40.05% | 28.99% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 83.33% | 86.34% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 10.61% 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 United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 13.07% 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 | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.43% | 10.61% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 20.43% | 18.02% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 1.77% | 13.07% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 23.52% | 22.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 4.61 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.61
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- UTHR
- 4.61
- Q1
- 2.47
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Only one side’s leverage can be read here: Novo Nordisk (NVO) carries debt-to-equity ratio of 0.62 against its industry range, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) reports no figure this period.
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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
- UTHR
- --
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 4.61 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.62 | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.49 | -1.53 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
United Therapeutics (UTHR) 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.
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%
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- UTHR
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 29.03% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.36% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 21.22 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
21.22
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- UTHR
- 21.22
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.53 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 7.51 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
7.51
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- UTHR
- 7.51
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
On P/B ratio, both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 and United Therapeutics (UTHR) at 3.80 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
UTHR
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.80
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- UTHR
- 3.80
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | NVO | UTHR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 10.18 | 21.22 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 7.51 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 3.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 18.43% | 1.90% |