AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
NVO leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
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 June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AZN vs NVO
growth of $100 · last 30yAZN +732.8%NVO +6188.8%NVO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
AZN NVO
AZN vs NVO: by the numbers
- •AZN is the larger company ($277.15B vs $193.53B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.19 vs 26.91 P/E).
- •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 (4.14% vs 1.79%).
Which is better, AZN or NVO?
Metric tally: AZN 6 · NVO 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNVO(lower P/E)
GrowthNVO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeNVO(higher dividend yield)
QualityNVO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AZN | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.91 | 10.19● |
| Forward P/E | 15.33 | — |
| P/S ratio | 4.62 | 3.78● |
| P/B ratio | 5.89● | 6.19 |
| PEG ratio | 0.14● | 8.17 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.92 | 7.35● |
| FCF yield | 2.89%● | 2.50% |
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 | 1.79% | 4.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.48% | 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) | 10.82%● | 2.95% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AZN or NVO?
- It depends on your goal. value: NVO (lower P/E); growth: NVO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: NVO (higher dividend yield); quality: NVO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NVO leads 9 to 6.
- Is AZN or NVO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: AZN trades at a 26.91 P/E and NVO at 10.19.
- 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 1.79% and NVO yields 4.14% 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%.
- Which has been the better investment, AZN or NVO?
- Over the past 10-year, AZN delivered the higher annualized total return — AZN at 15.77% versus NVO at 7.84%. 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 June 17, 2026.