NVS vs. ZTS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at NVS and ZTS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
NVS trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, ZTS is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | NVS | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Novartis AG | Zoetis Inc. |
| Country | Switzerland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 244.07 billion USD | 52.79 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 7, 1996 | February 1, 2013 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of NVS and ZTS 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 | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.51% | -3.75% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 6.23% | -19.61% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 9.77% | -23.21% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 6.72% | -31.25% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 2.75% | -16.86% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 14.99% | -26.48% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.75M | 5.41M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 2.65M | 3.28M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.93% | 31.55% |
| Beta | 1.03 | 0.98 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
NVS
34.12%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVS’s Return on Equity of 34.12% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
ZTS
53.56%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
ZTS’s Return on Equity of 53.56% 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
NVS
25.69%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.69% places NVS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
ZTS
28.21%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.21% places ZTS in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
NVS
30.99%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.99% 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.
ZTS
35.45%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 35.45% places ZTS 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.12% | 53.56% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 13.91% | 18.29% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.69% | 28.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.99% | 35.45% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 76.10% | 71.71% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
0.88
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
NVS’s Current Ratio of 0.88 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.
ZTS
3.64
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
ZTS’s Current Ratio of 3.64 is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
0.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
NVS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 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.
ZTS
1.31
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
ZTS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.31. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
NVS
22.55
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- 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.
ZTS
15.44
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- Min
- -42.71
ZTS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.44 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.88 | 3.64 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.68 | 2.28 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.31 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 22.55 | 15.44 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
NVS
3.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVS’s Dividend Yield of 3.24% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
ZTS
1.64%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTS’s Dividend Yield of 1.64% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
NVS
102.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- 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.
ZTS
32.55%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
ZTS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.55% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.24% | 1.64% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 102.24% | 32.55% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
NVS
16.74
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
NVS’s P/E Ratio of 16.74 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.
ZTS
19.88
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
ZTS’s P/E Ratio of 19.88 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
NVS
4.30
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
NVS’s P/S Ratio of 4.30 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.
ZTS
5.61
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
ZTS’s P/S Ratio of 5.61 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
NVS
5.91
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
NVS’s P/B Ratio of 5.91 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.
ZTS
12.01
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
At 12.01, ZTS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | NVS | ZTS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.74 | 19.88 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.30 | 5.61 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.91 | 12.01 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.12 | 23.52 |