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).
Total return — JNJ vs NVO
growth of $100 · last 30yJNJ +970.8%NVO +6748.4%NVO compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 12It 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 | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.71 | 11.58● |
| Forward P/E | 22.18 | — |
| P/S ratio | 6.52 | 4.30● |
| P/B ratio | 7.74 | 7.03● |
| PEG ratio | 0.21● | 8.16 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.68 | 9.02● |
| FCF yield | 2.83%● | 2.20% |
Profitability
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.12% | 81.83%● |
| Operating margin | 26.87% | 45.21%● |
| Net margin | 21.83% | 37.14%● |
| ROE | 25.92% | 60.74%● |
| ROIC | 13.71% | 29.53%● |
Dividends
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.09% | 4.92%● |
| Payout ratio | 48.59% | 67.29% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | JNJ | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Johnson & Johnson P/E ratioNovo Nordisk A/S P/E ratioJohnson & Johnson dividend yieldNovo Nordisk A/S dividend yieldJohnson & Johnson ROENovo Nordisk A/S ROEJohnson & Johnson operating marginNovo Nordisk A/S operating marginJohnson & Johnson revenue growthNovo Nordisk A/S revenue growthJohnson & Johnson free cash flowNovo Nordisk A/S free cash flow
Johnson & Johnson & Novo Nordisk A/S appear in these rankings
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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.