NVS vs. PFE: Novartis vs. Pfizer Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE) 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

Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Pfizer (PFE) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novartis (NVS) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Profile Item	NVS	PFE
Name	Novartis AG Sponsored ADR	Pfizer Inc.
Country/Region	Switzerland	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	307.00 billion USD	167.52 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	November 7, 1996	June 1, 1972
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

NVS

PFE

GSPC

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE), 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 Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Total Return (1Y)	32.98%	28.65%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	24.72%	6.41%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	18.80%	-3.98%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

NVS

PFE

GSPC

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE), 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 Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	27.12%	21.72%
Beta (5Y)	0.41	0.35
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-20.42%	-58.96%
Avg. Volume (3M)	2.07M	33.67M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

NVS and PFE 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 Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	1.06	1.12
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	1.46	1.73

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Novartis (NVS) at 24.33% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Pfizer (PFE) at 4.47% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for NVS.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

24.33%

Max: 109.18%
NVS: 24.33%
Q3: 6.23%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.47%

Max: 109.18%
Q3: 6.23%
PFE: 4.47%
Median: -26.66%
Q1: -64.05%
Min: -167.77%

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Novartis (NVS) at 17.49% and Pfizer (PFE) at 6.34% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.49%

Max: 18.05%
NVS: 17.49%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.34%

Max: 18.05%
PFE: 6.34%
Q3: 4.78%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -4.14%
Min: -17.05%

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Novartis (NVS) at 34.27% and Pfizer (PFE) at 33.38% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

34.27%

Max: 83.12%
NVS: 34.27%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.38%

Max: 83.12%
PFE: 33.38%
Q3: 14.77%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: -78.82%
Min: -207.40%

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
ROE (TTM)	24.33%	4.47%
ROA (TTM)	10.86%	5.59%
Net Margin (TTM)	17.49%	6.34%
Operating Margin (TTM)	34.27%	33.38%
Gross Margin (TTM)	75.21%	74.90%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Novartis (NVS) at 9.57% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Pfizer (PFE) at -1.65% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Both Novartis (NVS) at 21.81% and Pfizer (PFE) at -3.55% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Revenue Growth (YoY)	9.57%	-1.65%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	9.25%	-14.80%
EPS Growth (YoY)	21.81%	-3.55%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	31.14%	-37.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Novartis (NVS) at 0.88 and Pfizer (PFE) at 1.42 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.88

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
NVS: 0.88
Min: 0.10

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.42

Max: 25.13
Q3: 12.13
Median: 5.52
Q1: 2.47
PFE: 1.42
Min: 0.10

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Novartis (NVS) at 1.29 and Pfizer (PFE) at 0.71 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.29

Max: 1.42
NVS: 1.29
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.71

Max: 1.42
PFE: 0.71
Q3: 0.65
Median: 0.15
Q1: 0.02
Min: 0.00

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.88	1.42
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	1.29	0.71
Net Debt / EBITDA	1.64	1.97

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Novartis (NVS) at 2.88% and Pfizer (PFE) at 7.30% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.88%

NVS: 2.88%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.30%

PFE: 7.30%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Pfizer (PFE) reports payout ratio above 100% at 245.71%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Novartis (NVS) reports 90.46%, ranking against industry peers normally.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

90.46%

NVS: 90.46%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

245.71%

PFE: 245.71%
Max: 0.00%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.88%	7.30%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	90.46%	245.71%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Novartis (NVS) at 31.02 and Pfizer (PFE) at 41.99 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.02

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
NVS: 31.02
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

41.99

Max: 85.34
Q3: 43.46
PFE: 41.99
Median: 26.69
Q1: 13.30
Min: 0.07

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Pfizer (PFE) at 2.63 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Novartis (NVS) at 5.35 prices around its industry’s middle — PFE costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.35

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
NVS: 5.35
Q1: 3.01
Min: 0.01

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.63

Max: 58.18
Q3: 25.77
Median: 7.30
Q1: 3.01
PFE: 2.63
Min: 0.01

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Pfizer (PFE) at 1.88 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Novartis (NVS) at 8.25 carries an above-peer premium to book — NVS is pricier on assets.

NVS

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.25

Max: 13.53
NVS: 8.25
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

PFE

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.88

Max: 13.53
Q3: 6.54
Median: 3.25
PFE: 1.88
Q1: 1.69
Min: -5.59

Novartis (NVS) vs. Pfizer (PFE): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Novartis (NVS) and Pfizer (PFE)
Metric	NVS	PFE
P/E Ratio (TTM)	31.02	41.99
P/S Ratio (TTM)	5.35	2.63
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	8.25	1.88
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	3.67%	7.76%