Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH)
NVO leads on 11 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Novo Nordisk A/S and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
$43.55Healthcare
UNH
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
$411.04Healthcare
Total return — NVO vs UNH
growth of $100 · last 30yNVO +6188.8%UNH +6197.4%UNH compounded faster
NVO UNH
NVO vs UNH: by the numbers
- •UNH is the larger company ($373.30B vs $193.53B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.19 vs 31.04 P/E).
- •NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 2.68% net margin).
- •NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 11.33% CAGR).
- •NVO pays the higher dividend yield (4.14% vs 2.18%).
Which is better, NVO or UNH?
Metric tally: NVO 11 · UNH 4It 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 | NVO | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.19● | 31.04 |
| Forward P/E | — | 19.66 |
| P/S ratio | 3.78 | 0.83● |
| P/B ratio | 6.19 | 3.60● |
| PEG ratio | 8.17 | — |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.35● | 18.44 |
| FCF yield | 2.50% | 5.26%● |
Profitability
| Metric | NVO | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.83%● | 18.80% |
| Operating margin | 45.21%● | 4.19% |
| Net margin | 37.14%● | 2.68% |
| ROE | 60.74%● | 11.59% |
| ROIC | 29.53%● | 8.23% |
Dividends
| Metric | NVO | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.14%● | 2.18% |
| Payout ratio | 49.80% | 67.65% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NVO | UNH |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 20.73%● | 11.33% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 19.59%● | -4.06% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.86% | -3.16%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 2.95%● | 2.56% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, NVO or UNH?
- 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 NVO or UNH cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: NVO trades at a 10.19 P/E and UNH at 31.04.
- Which has grown faster, NVO or UNH?
- Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — NVO at a 20.73% CAGR versus UNH at 11.33%.
- Does NVO or UNH pay a bigger dividend?
- NVO yields 4.14% and UNH yields 2.18% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is NVO or UNH more profitable?
- NVO runs the higher net margin — NVO at 37.14% versus UNH at 2.68%.
- Which has been the better investment, NVO or UNH?
- Over the past 10-year, UNH delivered the higher annualized total return — NVO at 7.84% versus UNH at 13.34%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Novo Nordisk A/S P/E ratioUnitedHealth P/E ratioNovo Nordisk A/S dividend yieldUnitedHealth dividend yieldNovo Nordisk A/S ROEUnitedHealth ROENovo Nordisk A/S operating marginUnitedHealth operating marginNovo Nordisk A/S revenue growthUnitedHealth revenue growthNovo Nordisk A/S free cash flowUnitedHealth free cash flow
Novo Nordisk A/S & UnitedHealth 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 June 17, 2026.