Amgen (AMGN) 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
Amgen (AMGN) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, gaining 38.3% versus a loss of 36.0%. Over five years, AMGN leads with a +96.0% price change compared with -25.4% for NVO. Amgen is the larger company by market cap ($220.28 billion vs $168.54 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 16.6x for Amgen). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.41%).
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 | AMGN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $407.44 | $38.18 |
| Market cap | $220.28B | $168.54B |
| 1-day change | -1.37% | -0.21% |
| YTD return | +24.48% | -24.96% |
| 1-year return | +38.29% | -35.95% |
| 5-year return | +96.04% | -25.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 25.31 | 9.33 |
| Forward P/E | 16.64 | 11.48 |
| EPS (TTM) | $16.10 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 2.41% | 30.64% |
| Annual dividend | $9.80 | $11.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $36.75B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.95% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.71B | — |
| Gross margin | 67.25% | — |
| Operating margin | 24.71% | — |
| Net margin | 20.98% | — |
| 52-week high | $447.03 | $64.16 |
| 52-week low | $288.00 | $35.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -8.86% | -40.49% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -3.92% | +20.67% |
| Average volume | 2.73M | 12.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 540.63M | 3.34B |
| Employees | 31,500 | 66,700 |
| Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| Industry | Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) | 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
- AMGN has outperformed NVO by 74.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Amgen trades at a higher earnings multiple (25.3x vs 9.3x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.41%).
About Amgen
AMGN stock →Amgen Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, and delivers human therapeutics worldwide.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 31,500 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
AMGN vs NVO FAQ
Which is bigger, Amgen or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Amgen (AMGN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $220.28B compared with $168.54B for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AMGN or NVO?
AMGN returned +38.29% over the past 12 months, compared with -35.95% for NVO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AMGN or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.3, versus 25.3 for AMGN. 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, Amgen or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.64%, compared with 2.41% for Amgen.
Are Amgen and Novo Nordisk A/S in the same industry?
Both are in the Health Care sector, but in different industries: Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) for Amgen and Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations for Novo Nordisk A/S.