Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)

A side-by-side comparison of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnISRG vs NVO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
ISRG +384.1% (+17.1%/yr)NVO +135.8% (+9.0%/yr)ISRG compounded faster over this window
200400600800Start $10020182020202220242026$484$236
ISRG NVO

ISRG vs NVO: by the numbers

  • NVO is the larger company ($192.01B vs $138.95B market cap).
  • NVO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.66 vs 44.75 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NVO converts more revenue to profit (35.33% vs 28.45% net margin).
  • NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.76% vs 16.41% CAGR).
  • NVO pays a dividend (4.17% yield), while ISRG has no payments in the available dividend history.

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricISRGNVO
P/E ratio44.7510.66
Forward P/E36.42N/A
P/S ratio12.593.76
P/B ratio7.655.69
EV / EBITDA32.187.88
FCF yield2.32%3.88%

Profitability

MetricISRGNVO
Gross margin66.68%80.64%
Operating margin31.28%43.10%
Net margin28.45%35.33%
ROE17.28%53.50%
ROIC15.11%30.21%

Dividends

MetricISRGNVO
Dividend yieldN/A4.17%
Payout ratioN/A44.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricISRGNVO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)16.41%19.76%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.51%19.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)14.17%-1.45%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.59%-0.65%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, ISRG or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E: ISRG trades at 44.75 and NVO at 10.66. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, ISRG or NVO?
Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — ISRG at a 16.41% CAGR versus NVO at 19.76%.
Does ISRG or NVO pay a bigger dividend?
NVO pays a dividend (4.17% yield), while ISRG has no payments in the available dividend history.
Is ISRG or NVO more profitable?
NVO runs the higher net margin — ISRG at 28.45% versus NVO at 35.33%.
How have ISRG and NVO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, ISRG delivered 17.25% and NVO delivered 9.46% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 September 13, 2026.