Fortive (FTV) vs Novanta (NOVT)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Novanta (NOVT) has outperformed Fortive (FTV) over the past year, gaining 42.3% versus a gain of 13.9%. Over five years, FTV leads with a +3.2% price change compared with -11.1% for NOVT. Fortive is the larger company by market cap ($17.04 billion vs $5.16 billion), about 3.3 times the size, while Novanta is growing revenue faster (+3.3% vs +1.9%).
On valuation, Fortive trades at a lower forward P/E (17.3x vs 31.2x for Novanta). Fortive pays a dividend yielding 0.21%, while Novanta does not currently pay one. Fortive converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 13.9% versus 5.5%.
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 | FTV | NOVT |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $56.42 | $136.33 |
| Market cap | $17.04B | $5.16B |
| 1-day change | -0.18% | -5.09% |
| YTD return | +2.37% | +20.72% |
| 1-year return | +13.93% | +42.26% |
| 5-year return | +3.22% | -11.06% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.69 | 86.28 |
| Forward P/E | 17.34 | 31.22 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.90 | $1.58 |
| Dividend yield | 0.21% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $0.12 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.16B | $980.60M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.92% | +3.30% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $579.20M | $53.83M |
| Gross margin | 63.50% | 44.39% |
| Operating margin | 17.32% | 9.59% |
| Net margin | 13.93% | 5.49% |
| 52-week high | $64.56 | $176.38 |
| 52-week low | $47.71 | $98.27 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.61% | -22.71% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +12.80% | +42.67% |
| Average volume | 2.43M | 389.49K |
| Shares outstanding | 302.02M | 37.82M |
| Employees | 10,000 | 3,000 |
| Sector | Industrials | Miscellaneous |
| Industry | Industrial Machinery/Components | Industrial Machinery/Components |
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
- Fortive is about 3.3 times larger than Novanta by market value ($17.04B vs $5.16B).
- NOVT has outperformed FTV by 28.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Novanta trades at a higher earnings multiple (86.3x vs 29.7x trailing P/E).
- Fortive is more profitable, keeping 13.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.5 cents for Novanta.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Fortive in Industrials and Novanta in Miscellaneous.
About Fortive
FTV stock →Fortive Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets products, software, and services in the United States, China, and internationally. It operates through Intelligent Operating Solutions and Advanced Healthcare Solutions segments.
Industrials · Industrial Machinery/Components · 10,000 employees
About Novanta
NOVT stock →Novanta Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides precision medicine, precision manufacturing, medical solutions, robotics and automation solutions, and advanced surgery solutions in the United States and internationally. The company operates Automation Enabling Technologies and Medical Solutions segments.
Miscellaneous · Industrial Machinery/Components · 3,000 employees
FTV vs NOVT FAQ
Which is bigger, Fortive or Novanta?
Fortive (FTV) is larger, with a market capitalization of $17.04B compared with $5.16B for Novanta (NOVT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FTV or NOVT?
NOVT returned +42.26% over the past 12 months, compared with +13.93% for FTV (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FTV or NOVT?
FTV has the lower trailing P/E at 29.7, versus 86.3 for NOVT. 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, Fortive or Novanta?
Fortive pays a dividend yielding 0.21%, while Novanta does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Fortive and Novanta in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Industrial Machinery/Components industry within the Industrials sector.