NVO vs. WFC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 23, 2025

Here’s a clear look at NVO and WFC, 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, WFC is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	NVO	WFC
Company Name	Novo Nordisk A/S	Wells Fargo & Company
Country	Denmark	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Financials
GICS Industry	Pharmaceuticals	Banks
Market Capitalization	240.04 billion USD	250.38 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	April 30, 1981	June 1, 1972
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of NVO and WFC 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.

NVO vs. WFC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	NVO	WFC
5-Day Price Return	6.80%	-1.57%
13-Week Price Return	-19.59%	2.76%
26-Week Price Return	-44.66%	-0.88%
52-Week Price Return	67.26%	38.46%
Month-to-Date Return	10.67%	-3.06%
Year-to-Date Return	-44.24%	11.28%
10-Day Avg. Volume	10.57M	13.57M
3-Month Avg. Volume	6.69M	17.24M
3-Month Volatility	64.82%	24.23%
Beta	1.51	1.27

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

NVO

77.86%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.59%
Q3: 19.84%
Median: 11.90%
Q1: 5.63%
Min: -9.96%

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.

WFC

11.36%

Banks Industry

Max: 26.37%
Q3: 15.92%
Median: 12.25%
Q1: 8.69%
Min: 0.15%

WFC’s Return on Equity of 11.36% is on par with the norm for the Banks industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

NVO

35.61%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 34.51%
Q3: 17.73%
Median: 12.12%
Q1: 5.99%
Min: -7.73%

NVO’s Net Profit Margin of 35.61% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.

WFC

22.19%

Banks Industry

Max: 54.20%
Q3: 35.70%
Median: 28.97%
Q1: 22.53%
Min: 6.98%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Banks industry, WFC’s Net Profit Margin of 22.19% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

NVO

45.78%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 41.53%
Q3: 23.00%
Median: 16.24%
Q1: 9.24%
Min: -6.94%

NVO’s Operating Profit Margin of 45.78% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.

WFC

25.35%

Banks Industry

Max: 63.35%
Q3: 44.59%
Median: 37.24%
Q1: 28.25%
Min: 13.37%

WFC’s Operating Profit Margin of 25.35% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	NVO	WFC
Return on Equity (TTM)	77.86%	11.36%
Return on Assets (TTM)	24.22%	1.06%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	35.61%	22.19%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	45.78%	25.35%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	83.95%	--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

NVO

0.78

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 4.49
Q3: 2.77
Median: 1.74
Q1: 1.26
Min: 0.11

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.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

For the Banks industry, the Current Ratio is often not the most suitable measure of short-term liquidity.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

NVO

0.59

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 2.44
Q3: 1.07
Median: 0.42
Q1: 0.11
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.

WFC

2.01

Banks Industry

Max: 4.75
Q3: 2.62
Median: 1.02
Q1: 0.39
Min: 0.00

The Debt-to-Equity Ratio is often not the primary focus for assessing leverage in the Banks industry.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

NVO

149.07

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 44.18
Median: 9.83
Q1: 2.82
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.

WFC

Banks Industry

Max: --
Q3: --
Median: --
Q1: --
Min: --

The Interest Coverage Ratio is often not a primary indicator of debt servicing capacity in the Banks industry.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	NVO	WFC
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.78	--
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.56	--
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.59	2.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	149.07	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

NVO vs. WFC: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

NVO vs. WFC: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

NVO

3.30%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 6.98%
Q3: 3.32%
Median: 2.13%
Q1: 0.14%
Min: 0.00%

NVO’s Dividend Yield of 3.30% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

WFC

2.53%

Banks Industry

Max: 10.27%
Q3: 5.83%
Median: 3.81%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Yield of 2.53% is consistent with its peers in the Banks industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

NVO

61.60%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 165.20%
Q3: 90.59%
Median: 49.13%
Q1: 28.91%
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.

WFC

31.00%

Banks Industry

Max: 147.07%
Q3: 80.55%
Median: 54.40%
Q1: 35.71%
Min: 0.00%

WFC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 31.00% is in the lower quartile for the Banks industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	NVO	WFC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.30%	2.53%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	61.60%	31.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

NVO

13.91

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 42.51
Q3: 26.88
Median: 19.11
Q1: 15.12
Min: 0.00

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVO’s P/E Ratio of 13.91 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

WFC

12.27

Banks Industry

Max: 20.05
Q3: 12.65
Median: 10.21
Q1: 7.54
Min: 2.74

WFC’s P/E Ratio of 12.27 is within the middle range for the Banks industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

NVO

4.95

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 7.55
Q3: 4.54
Median: 2.11
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.00

NVO’s P/S Ratio of 4.95 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.

WFC

1.91

Banks Industry

Max: 5.06
Q3: 2.98
Median: 2.24
Q1: 1.59
Min: 0.45

The P/S Ratio is often not a primary valuation tool in the Banks industry.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

NVO

8.87

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.78
Q3: 4.96
Median: 2.23
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.60

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.

WFC

1.42

Banks Industry

Max: 2.18
Q3: 1.36
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.81
Min: 0.20

WFC’s P/B Ratio of 1.42 is in the upper tier for the Banks 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.

NVO vs. WFC: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Banks industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	NVO	WFC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	13.91	12.27
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	4.95	1.91
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	8.87	1.42
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	23.46	16.66