Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) has outperformed Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) over the past year, gaining 23.2% versus a loss of 35.2%. Over five years, VRTX leads with a +178.2% price change compared with -25.3% for NVO. Novo Nordisk A/S is the larger company by market cap ($168.89 billion vs $128.16 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, Novo Nordisk A/S trades at a lower forward P/E (11.5x vs 25.1x for Vertex Pharmaceuticals). Novo Nordisk A/S pays a dividend yielding 30.58%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay one.
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 | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $38.26 | $505.64 |
| Market cap | $168.89B | $128.16B |
| 1-day change | +1.95% | +0.66% |
| YTD return | -24.80% | +11.53% |
| 1-year return | -35.17% | +23.24% |
| 5-year return | -25.35% | +178.18% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 9.35 | 29.45 |
| Forward P/E | 11.50 | 25.15 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.09 | $17.17 |
| Dividend yield | 30.58% | 0.00% |
| Annual dividend | $11.70 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | — | $12.00B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | — | +8.90% |
| Net income (latest FY) | — | $3.95B |
| Gross margin | — | 86.24% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.77% |
| Net margin | — | 32.94% |
| 52-week high | $64.16 | $560.25 |
| 52-week low | $35.12 | $402.58 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -40.37% | -9.75% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.41% | +13.00% |
| Average volume | 12.52M | 1.16M |
| Shares outstanding | 3.34B | 253.46M |
| Employees | 66,700 | 6,400 |
| 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
- VRTX has outperformed NVO by 58.4 percentage points over the past year.
- Vertex Pharmaceuticals trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.4x vs 9.4x trailing P/E).
- Novo Nordisk A/S offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (30.58% vs 0.00%).
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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals
VRTX stock →Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated operates as a biotechnology company in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers transformative medicines for people with serious diseases with a focus on specialty markets, such as cystic fibrosis (CF), sickle cell disease (SCD), transfusion dependent beta thalassemia (TDT), and acute pain.
Health Care · Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations · 6,400 employees
NVO vs VRTX FAQ
Which is bigger, Novo Nordisk A/S or Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is larger, with a market capitalization of $168.89B compared with $128.16B for Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NVO or VRTX?
VRTX returned +23.24% 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 VRTX?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E at 9.4, versus 29.4 for VRTX. 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 Vertex Pharmaceuticals?
Novo Nordisk A/S pays a dividend yielding 30.58%, while Vertex Pharmaceuticals does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Novo Nordisk A/S and Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Biotechnology: Pharmaceutical Preparations industry within the Health Care sector.