Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Sanofi (SNY)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 10, 2026.
Summary
Sanofi (SNY) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, losing 17.9% versus a loss of 34.2%. Over five years, SNY leads with a -18.0% price change compared with -24.5% for NVO. Novo Nordisk A/S is the larger company by market cap ($170.57 billion vs $96.01 billion), about 1.8 times the size.
On valuation, Sanofi trades at a lower forward P/E (7.4x vs 11.7x for Novo Nordisk A/S). Novo Nordisk A/S offers the higher dividend yield (30.28% vs 10.28%).
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 | SNY |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.64 | $40.07 |
| Market cap | $170.57B | $96.01B |
| 1-day change | +1.20% | -0.40% |
| YTD return | -24.06% | -17.31% |
| 1-year return | -34.15% | -17.92% |
| 5-year return | -24.49% | -17.97% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.45 | 21.09 |
| Forward P/E | 11.67 | 7.42 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.09 | $1.90 |
| Dividend yield | 30.28% | 10.28% |
| Annual dividend | $11.70 | $4.12 |
| 52-week high | $64.16 | $52.68 |
| 52-week low | $35.12 | $39.18 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -39.78% | -23.94% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +19.23% | +33.79% |
| Average volume | 12.69M | 2.86M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.34B | 2.40B |
| Employees | 66,700 | 74,846 |
| 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
- SNY has outperformed NVO by 16.2 percentage points over the past year.
- Sanofi trades at a higher earnings multiple (21.1x vs 9.4x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.28% vs 10.28%).
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 Sanofi
SNY stock →Sanofi engages in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of therapeutic solutions. It provides immunology and inflammation, rare diseases neurology, oncology, and other vaccines.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 74,846 employees
NVO vs SNY FAQ
Which is bigger, Novo Nordisk A/S or Sanofi?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $170.57B compared with $96.01B for Sanofi (SNY).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NVO or SNY?
SNY returned -17.92% over the past 12 months, compared with -34.15% for NVO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, NVO or SNY?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.4, versus 21.1 for SNY. 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 Sanofi?
Novo Nordisk A/S has the higher yield at 30.28%, compared with 10.28% for Sanofi.
Are Novo Nordisk A/S and Sanofi in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.