Abbott Laboratories (ABT) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, losing 26.6% versus a loss of 35.2%. Over five years, ABT leads with a -16.2% price change compared with -25.2% for NVO. Abbott Laboratories is the larger company by market cap ($170.43 billion vs $168.54 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 16.2x for Abbott Laboratories). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.52%).
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ABT | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $98.49 | $38.18 |
| Market cap | $170.43B | $168.54B |
| 1-day change | -0.24% | -0.21% |
| YTD return | -21.39% | -24.80% |
| 1-year return | -26.65% | -35.17% |
| 5-year return | -16.17% | -25.23% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 31.77 | 9.33 |
| Forward P/E | 16.24 | 11.48 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.10 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 2.52% | 30.64% |
| Annual dividend | $2.48 | $11.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $44.33B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +5.67% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $6.52B | — |
| Gross margin | 56.42% | — |
| Operating margin | 18.17% | — |
| Net margin | 14.72% | — |
| 52-week high | $134.50 | $64.16 |
| 52-week low | $81.97 | $35.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -26.77% | -40.49% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.57% | +20.67% |
| Average volume | 9.64M | 12.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.73B | 3.34B |
| Employees | 122,000 | 66,700 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations | Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Abbott Laboratories trades at a higher earnings multiple (31.8x vs 9.3x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.52%).
About Abbott Laboratories
ABT stock →Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 122,000 employees
About Novo Nordisk A/S
NVO stock →Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products. It operates through two segments, Obesity and Diabetes Care, and Rare Disease.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 66,700 employees
ABT vs NVO FAQ
Which is bigger, Abbott Laboratories or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Abbott Laboratories (ABT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $170.43B compared with $168.54B for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ABT or NVO?
ABT returned -26.65% over the past 12 months, compared with -35.17% for NVO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ABT or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.3, versus 31.8 for ABT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Abbott Laboratories or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.64%, compared with 2.52% for Abbott Laboratories.
Are Abbott Laboratories and Novo Nordisk A/S in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.