AstraZeneca (AZN) 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 9, 2026.
Summary
AstraZeneca (AZN) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, losing 7.0% versus a loss of 36.0%. Over five years, AZN leads with a +31.8% price change compared with -25.4% for NVO. AstraZeneca is the larger company by market cap ($246.25 billion vs $168.54 billion), about 1.5 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 13.7x for AstraZeneca). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.03%).
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 | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $158.78 | $38.18 |
| Market cap | $246.25B | $168.54B |
| 1-day change | -0.84% | -0.21% |
| YTD return | -13.64% | -24.96% |
| 1-year return | -7.02% | -35.95% |
| 5-year return | +31.83% | -25.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 23.73 | 9.33 |
| Forward P/E | 13.73 | 11.53 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.69 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 2.03% | 30.64% |
| Annual dividend | $3.23 | $11.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $58.74B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.63% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $10.22B | — |
| Gross margin | 81.90% | — |
| Operating margin | 23.40% | — |
| Net margin | 17.41% | — |
| 52-week high | $212.71 | $64.16 |
| 52-week low | $153.41 | $35.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -25.35% | -40.49% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +33.11% | +20.67% |
| Average volume | 3.37M | 12.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.55B | 3.34B |
| Employees | 96,100 | 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
- AZN has outperformed NVO by 28.9 percentage points over the past year.
- AstraZeneca trades at a higher earnings multiple (23.7x vs 9.3x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.03%).
About AstraZeneca
AZN stock →AstraZeneca PLC, a biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the discovery, development, manufacture, and commercialization of prescription medicines. The company offers Imjudo, Datroway, Iressa, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Lynparza, Calquence, Enhertu, Orpathys, Truqap, Zoladex, Faslodex, Crestor, Andexxa, Onglyza, Symlin, XIGDUO XR, Atacand, Atacand HCT, Atacand Plus, Farxiga/Forxiga, Plendil, Modip, Splendil, Munobal, Flodil, Tenormin, Tenormine, Prenormine, Atenol, Zestril, Brilinta/Brilique, Komboglyze, Qtern, Wainua, Byetta, Lokelma, Seloken ZOK, Toprol-XL, Betaloc ZOK, XIGDUO, Accolate, Accoleit, Vanticon, Bricanyl Respules, Eklira Genuair/Tudorza/Bretaris, Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Symbicort Turbuhaler, Airsupra, Bricanyl Turbuhaler, Fasenra, Rhinocort, Tezspire, Bevespi Aerosphere, Daliresp/Daxas, Oxis Turbuhaler, Saphnelo, Breztri Aerosphere, Duaklir Genuair, Pulmicort Respules, and Symbicort pMDI.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 96,100 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
AZN vs NVO FAQ
Which is bigger, AstraZeneca or Novo Nordisk A/S?
AstraZeneca (AZN) is larger, with a market capitalization of $246.25B compared with $168.54B for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AZN or NVO?
AZN returned -7.02% 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, AZN or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.3, versus 23.7 for AZN. 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, AstraZeneca or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.64%, compared with 2.03% for AstraZeneca.
Are AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk A/S in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.