Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)

A side-by-side comparison of Eli Lilly and Company 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 returnLLY vs NVO

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
LLY +1555.7% (+32.4%/yr)NVO +135.8% (+9.0%/yr)LLY compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$1,656$236
LLY NVO

LLY vs NVO: by the numbers

  • LLY is the larger company ($1.08T vs $186.59B market cap).
  • NVO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (10.35 vs 38.39 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • NVO converts more revenue to profit (35.33% vs 33.53% net margin).
  • LLY grew revenue faster over the past five years (24.42% vs 19.76% CAGR).
  • NVO pays the higher dividend yield (4.17% vs 0.60%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLLYNVO
P/E ratio38.3910.35
Forward P/E31.44N/A
P/S ratio13.523.65
P/B ratio31.805.53
EV / EBITDA30.657.67
FCF yield1.86%3.99%

Profitability

MetricLLYNVO
Gross margin84.01%80.64%
Operating margin43.92%43.10%
Net margin33.53%35.33%
ROE78.84%53.50%
ROIC27.38%30.21%

Dividends

MetricLLYNVO
Dividend yield0.60%4.17%
Payout ratio22.45%44.27%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLLYNVO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)24.42%19.76%
EPS CAGR (5Y)28.88%19.59%
FCF CAGR (5Y)32.91%-1.45%
Total return CAGR (5Y)37.25%-0.65%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, LLY or NVO?
NVO has the lower trailing P/E: LLY trades at 38.39 and NVO at 10.35. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, LLY or NVO?
Over the past five years, LLY grew revenue faster — LLY at a 24.42% CAGR versus NVO at 19.76%.
Does LLY or NVO pay a bigger dividend?
LLY yields 0.60% and NVO yields 4.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LLY or NVO more profitable?
NVO runs the higher net margin — LLY at 33.53% versus NVO at 35.33%.
How have LLY and NVO total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, LLY delivered 32.48% 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.