Gilead Sciences (GILD) 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
Gilead Sciences (GILD) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, gaining 24.4% versus a loss of 36.0%. Over five years, GILD leads with a +117.5% price change compared with -25.4% for NVO. Gilead Sciences is the larger company by market cap ($182.40 billion vs $168.54 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 14.9x for Gilead Sciences). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.19%).
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 | GILD | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $147.10 | $38.18 |
| Market cap | $182.40B | $168.54B |
| 1-day change | +0.17% | -0.21% |
| YTD return | +19.85% | -24.96% |
| 1-year return | +24.40% | -35.95% |
| 5-year return | +117.51% | -25.39% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | — | 9.33 |
| Forward P/E | 14.87 | 11.53 |
| EPS (TTM) | $-2.65 | $4.09 |
| Dividend yield | 2.19% | 30.64% |
| Annual dividend | $3.22 | $11.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $29.44B | — |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.40% | — |
| Net income (latest FY) | $8.51B | — |
| Gross margin | 78.83% | — |
| Operating margin | 34.04% | — |
| Net margin | 28.90% | — |
| 52-week high | $157.29 | $64.16 |
| 52-week low | $114.02 | $35.12 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -6.48% | -40.49% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +8.27% | +20.67% |
| Average volume | 5.99M | 12.64M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.24B | 3.34B |
| Employees | 17,000 | 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
- GILD has outperformed NVO by 60.3 percentage points over the past year.
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.64% vs 2.19%).
About Gilead Sciences
GILD stock →Gilead Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, discovers, develops, and commercializes medicines in the areas of unmet medical need in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company provides Biktarvy, Descovy, Genvoya, Odefsey, Sunlenca, Symtuza, and YeztugoFor the treatment of HIV-1 infection in patients.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Biological Products (No Diagnostic Substances) · 17,000 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
GILD vs NVO FAQ
Which is bigger, Gilead Sciences or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Gilead Sciences (GILD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $182.40B compared with $168.54B for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, GILD or NVO?
GILD returned +24.40% over the past 12 months, compared with -35.95% for NVO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which pays a higher dividend, Gilead Sciences or Novo Nordisk A/S?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.64%, compared with 2.19% for Gilead Sciences.
Are Gilead Sciences 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 Gilead Sciences and Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations for Novo Nordisk A/S.