CVS Health Corporation (CVS) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)
NVO leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of CVS Health Corporation and Novo Nordisk A/S across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 18, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — CVS vs NVO
growth of $100 · last 30yCVS +876.0%NVO +6184.5%NVO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
CVS NVO
CVS vs NVO: by the numbers
- •NVO is the larger company ($193.39B vs $126.52B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.18 vs 43.68 P/E).
- •NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 0.72% net margin).
- •NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 8.52% CAGR).
- •NVO pays the higher dividend yield (4.14% vs 2.68%).
Which is better, CVS or NVO?
Metric tally: CVS 4 · NVO 11It 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 | CVS | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 43.68 | 10.18● |
| Forward P/E | 11.82 | — |
| P/S ratio | 0.31● | 3.78 |
| P/B ratio | 1.64● | 6.18 |
| PEG ratio | — | 8.17 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.57 | 7.34● |
| FCF yield | 5.83%● | 2.50% |
Profitability
| Metric | CVS | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 13.87% | 81.83%● |
| Operating margin | 1.46% | 45.21%● |
| Net margin | 0.72% | 37.14%● |
| ROE | 3.79% | 60.74%● |
| ROIC | 4.72% | 29.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CVS | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.68% | 4.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 190.00% | 49.80% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CVS | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.52% | 20.73%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -23.89% | 19.59%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -10.57% | -5.86%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.78%● | 3.15% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, CVS 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 11 to 4.
- Is CVS or NVO cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: CVS trades at a 43.68 P/E and NVO at 10.18.
- Which has grown faster, CVS or NVO?
- Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — CVS at a 8.52% CAGR versus NVO at 20.73%.
- Does CVS or NVO pay a bigger dividend?
- CVS yields 2.68% and NVO yields 4.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CVS or NVO more profitable?
- NVO runs the higher net margin — CVS at 0.72% versus NVO at 37.14%.
- Which has been the better investment, CVS or NVO?
- Over the past 10-year, NVO delivered the higher annualized total return — CVS at 3.57% versus NVO at 7.88%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
CVS Health P/E ratioNovo Nordisk A/S P/E ratioCVS Health dividend yieldNovo Nordisk A/S dividend yieldCVS Health ROENovo Nordisk A/S ROECVS Health operating marginNovo Nordisk A/S operating marginCVS Health revenue growthNovo Nordisk A/S revenue growthCVS Health free cash flowNovo Nordisk A/S free cash flow
CVS Health & 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 18, 2026.