NVO vs. ZTS: Novo Nordisk vs. Zoetis Stock Comparison
How do Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Zoetis (ZTS) 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 Zoetis (ZTS) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Zoetis (ZTS) 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 | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR | Zoetis Inc. Class A Common Stock |
| 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 | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 177.74 billion USD | 32.26 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | April 30, 1981 | February 1, 2013 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | -5.29% | -30.10% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -23.41% | -20.42% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -4.13% | -16.87% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 45.98% | 38.23% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.67 | 0.66 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -74.70% | -70.45% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 12.11M | 4.65M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | -0.21 | -0.90 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | -0.28 | -1.10 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 58.38% and Zoetis (ZTS) at 57.63% 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%
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
57.63%
- Max
- 109.18%
- ZTS
- 57.63%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 33.92% and Zoetis (ZTS) at 26.41% 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%
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.41%
- ZTS
- 26.41%
- 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 Zoetis (ZTS) at 38.19% 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%
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
38.19%
- Max
- 83.12%
- ZTS
- 38.19%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 58.38% | 57.63% |
| ROA (TTM) | 19.05% | 14.87% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 33.92% | 26.41% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 40.05% | 38.19% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 83.33% | 71.65% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.43% and Zoetis (ZTS) at 2.28% 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 Zoetis (ZTS) at 10.05% 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 | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 6.43% | 2.28% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 20.43% | 5.42% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 1.77% | 10.05% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 23.52% | 10.27% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.85 and Zoetis (ZTS) at 2.35 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
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.35
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- ZTS
- 2.35
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.62 is near its industry mid-range for debt-to-equity ratio, while Zoetis (ZTS) at 2.80 sits above its benchmark range, pointing to a heavier debt load relative to equity.
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
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.80
- ZTS
- 2.80
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.85 | 2.35 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.62 | 2.80 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 0.49 | 1.92 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 29.03% and Zoetis (ZTS) at 2.55% 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%
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.55%
- ZTS
- 2.55%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 45.36% and Zoetis (ZTS) at 35.24% 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%
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
35.24%
- ZTS
- 35.24%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 29.03% | 2.55% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.36% | 35.24% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.18 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Zoetis (ZTS) at 13.50 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
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.50
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- ZTS
- 13.50
- 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 Zoetis (ZTS) at 3.40 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
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.40
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- ZTS
- 3.40
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 5.43 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Zoetis (ZTS) at 9.80 carries an above-peer premium to book — ZTS is pricier on assets.
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
ZTS
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
9.80
- Max
- 13.53
- ZTS
- 9.80
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | NVO | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 10.18 | 13.50 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 0.53 | 3.40 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 5.43 | 9.80 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 18.43% | 6.36% |