Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)

NVO leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Johnson & Johnson and Novo Nordisk A/S across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 12, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — JNJ vs NVO

growth of $100 · last 30y
JNJ +970.8%NVO +6748.4%NVO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,071$6,848
JNJ NVO

JNJ vs NVO: by the numbers

  • JNJ is the larger company ($618.61B vs $219.88B market cap).
  • NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (11.58 vs 29.71 P/E).
  • NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 21.83% net margin).
  • NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 2.99% CAGR).
  • NVO pays the higher dividend yield (4.92% vs 2.09%).

Which is better, JNJ or NVO?

Metric tally: JNJ 4 · NVO 12

It 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

MetricJNJNVO
P/E ratio29.7111.58
Forward P/E22.18
P/S ratio6.524.30
P/B ratio7.747.03
PEG ratio0.218.16
EV / EBITDA19.689.02
FCF yield2.83%2.20%

Profitability

MetricJNJNVO
Gross margin69.12%81.83%
Operating margin26.87%45.21%
Net margin21.83%37.14%
ROE25.92%60.74%
ROIC13.71%29.53%

Dividends

MetricJNJNVO
Dividend yield2.09%4.92%
Payout ratio48.59%67.29%

Growth (annualized)

MetricJNJNVO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.99%20.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.51%19.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.38%-5.86%
Total return CAGR (5Y)11.74%4.89%

Frequently asked

Which is better, JNJ 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 12 to 4.
Is JNJ or NVO cheaper?
On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: JNJ trades at a 29.71 P/E and NVO at 11.58.
Which has grown faster, JNJ or NVO?
Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — JNJ at a 2.99% CAGR versus NVO at 20.73%.
Does JNJ or NVO pay a bigger dividend?
JNJ yields 2.09% and NVO yields 4.92% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is JNJ or NVO more profitable?
NVO runs the higher net margin — JNJ at 21.83% versus NVO at 37.14%.
Which has been the better investment, JNJ or NVO?
Over the past 10-year, JNJ delivered the higher annualized total return — JNJ at 10.64% versus NVO at 8.60%. 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 July 12, 2026.