NVS vs. SAP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NVS and SAP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
Both NVS and SAP are American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). This provides U.S. investors with straightforward access to investing in these foreign-listed companies.
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Novartis AG | SAP SE |
| Country | Switzerland | Germany |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 246.34 billion USD | 320.61 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 7, 1996 | September 18, 1995 |
| Security Type | ADR | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NVS and SAP 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.47% | -0.88% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 11.69% | -10.87% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 4.09% | -14.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 9.24% | 20.56% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.12% | -5.54% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.75% | 0.25% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.89M | 1.46M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 3.36M | 1.57M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.00% | 25.86% |
| Beta | 0.08 | 0.98 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NVS
32.56%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVS’s Return on Equity of 32.56% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
SAP
15.09%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
SAP’s Return on Equity of 15.09% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NVS
24.90%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.90% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
SAP
18.23%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
SAP’s Net Profit Margin of 18.23% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NVS
30.03%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.03% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
SAP
25.13%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.13% places SAP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.56% | 15.09% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.32% | 9.09% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.90% | 18.23% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.03% | 25.13% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 76.12% | 73.80% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
0.82
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
NVS’s Current Ratio of 0.82 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.
SAP
1.03
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
SAP’s Current Ratio of 1.03 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
0.77
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
NVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77 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.
SAP
0.21
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
SAP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.21 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NVS
22.55
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
NVS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.55 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
SAP
32.64
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
SAP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.64 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.82 | 1.03 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.62 | 1.03 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 0.21 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 22.55 | 32.64 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NVS
3.29%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS’s Dividend Yield of 3.29% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
SAP
0.99%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SAP’s Dividend Yield of 0.99% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NVS
102.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.24% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
SAP
161.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 161.64%, SAP’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.29% | 0.99% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 102.24% | 161.64% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NVS
17.43
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
NVS’s P/E Ratio of 17.43 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
SAP
42.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
SAP’s P/E Ratio of 42.26 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NVS
4.34
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
NVS’s P/S Ratio of 4.34 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
SAP
7.70
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
SAP’s P/S Ratio of 7.70 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
6.00
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
NVS’s P/B Ratio of 6.00 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.
SAP
7.74
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
SAP’s P/B Ratio of 7.74 is within the conventional range for the Software industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | SAP |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.43 | 42.26 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.34 | 7.70 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.00 | 7.74 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.16 | 37.81 |