Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Pfizer (PFE)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Pfizer (PFE) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, gaining 6.6% versus a loss of 35.2%. Over five years, NVO leads with a -25.2% price change compared with -32.5% for PFE. Novo Nordisk A/S is the larger company by market cap ($166.93 billion vs $158.39 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, Pfizer trades at a lower forward P/E (9.6x vs 11.4x for Novo Nordisk A/S). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.94% vs 6.19%).
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 | NVO | PFE |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $37.82 | $27.79 |
| Market cap | $166.93B | $158.39B |
| 1-day change | -1.16% | -0.75% |
| YTD return | -24.80% | +12.45% |
| 1-year return | -35.17% | +6.59% |
| 5-year return | -25.23% | -32.51% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.25 | 36.56 |
| Forward P/E | 11.37 | 9.59 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.09 | $0.76 |
| Dividend yield | 30.94% | 6.19% |
| Annual dividend | $11.70 | $1.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $62.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | -1.65% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $7.77B |
| Gross margin | — | 74.33% |
| Net margin | — | 12.42% |
| 52-week high | $64.16 | $29.21 |
| 52-week low | $35.12 | $23.62 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -41.06% | -4.86% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.83% | +4.03% |
| Average volume | 12.54M | 35.94M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.34B | 5.70B |
| Employees | 66,700 | 75,000 |
| 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
- PFE has outperformed NVO by 41.8 percentage points over the past year.
- Pfizer trades at a higher earnings multiple (36.6x vs 9.2x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.94% vs 6.19%).
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
About Pfizer
PFE stock →Pfizer Inc. discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States and internationally.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 75,000 employees
NVO vs PFE FAQ
Which is bigger, Novo Nordisk A/S or Pfizer?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $166.93B compared with $158.39B for Pfizer (PFE).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NVO or PFE?
PFE returned +6.59% 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, NVO or PFE?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.2, versus 36.6 for PFE. 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, Novo Nordisk A/S or Pfizer?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.94%, compared with 6.19% for Pfizer.
Are Novo Nordisk A/S and Pfizer in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.