AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
A side-by-side comparison of AstraZeneca PLC and Novo Nordisk A/S across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 31, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AZN
AstraZeneca PLC
$169.64HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
$47.08HealthcareDelayed quote: Jul 31, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — AZN vs NVO
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAZN +2029.9%NVO +10806.6%NVO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AZN NVO
AZN vs NVO: by the numbers
- •NVO is the larger company ($209.19B vs $131.47B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.01 vs 12.77 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 17.19% net margin).
- •NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 16.99% CAGR).
- •NVO pays the higher dividend yield (3.83% vs 1.89%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.77 | 11.01 |
| Forward P/E | 16.55 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 2.19 | 4.09 |
| P/B ratio | 2.80 | 6.69 |
| PEG ratio | 0.29 | 8.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.89 | 8.62 |
| FCF yield | 6.09% | 2.31% |
Profitability
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.68% | 81.83% |
| Operating margin | 23.69% | 45.21% |
| Net margin | 17.19% | 37.14% |
| ROE | 21.95% | 60.74% |
| ROIC | 13.03% | 29.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.89% | 3.83% |
| Payout ratio | 24.24% | 49.80% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 16.99% | 20.73% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 22.02% | 19.59% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.68% | -5.86% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 10.60% | 2.46% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AZN or NVO?
- NVO has the lower trailing P/E: AZN trades at 12.77 and NVO at 11.01. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AZN or NVO?
- Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — AZN at a 16.99% CAGR versus NVO at 20.73%.
- Does AZN or NVO pay a bigger dividend?
- AZN yields 1.89% and NVO yields 3.83% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AZN or NVO more profitable?
- NVO runs the higher net margin — AZN at 17.19% versus NVO at 37.14%.
- How have AZN and NVO total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AZN delivered 13.02% and NVO delivered 7.59% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AstraZeneca P/E ratioNovo Nordisk A/S P/E ratioAstraZeneca dividend yieldNovo Nordisk A/S dividend yieldAstraZeneca ROENovo Nordisk A/S ROEAstraZeneca operating marginNovo Nordisk A/S operating marginAstraZeneca revenue growthNovo Nordisk A/S revenue growthAstraZeneca free cash flowNovo Nordisk A/S free cash flow
AstraZeneca & Novo Nordisk A/S appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified July 31, 2026.