Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
NVO leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Novo Nordisk A/S and Vertex Pharmaceuticals 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
$43.52Healthcare
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$458.99Healthcare
Total return — NVO vs VRTX
growth of $100 · last 30yNVO +6184.5%VRTX +2681.8%NVO compounded faster
NVO VRTX
NVO vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •NVO is the larger company ($193.39B vs $116.49B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower earnings multiple (10.18 vs 27.22 P/E).
- •NVO converts more revenue to profit (37.14% vs 35.40% net margin).
- •NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.73% vs 13.82% CAGR).
- •NVO pays a dividend (4.14% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
Which is better, NVO or VRTX?
Metric tally: NVO 9 · VRTX 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueNVO(lower P/E)
GrowthNVO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityNVO(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 10.18● | 27.22 |
| Forward P/E | — | 21.23 |
| P/S ratio | 3.78● | 9.60 |
| P/B ratio | 6.18 | 6.08 |
| PEG ratio | 8.17 | 3.33● |
| EV / EBITDA | 7.34● | 21.17 |
| FCF yield | 2.50% | 3.15%● |
Profitability
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 81.83% | 86.28%● |
| Operating margin | 45.21%● | 38.97% |
| Net margin | 37.14%● | 35.40% |
| ROE | 60.74%● | 22.41% |
| ROIC | 29.53%● | 18.12% |
Dividends
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.14% | — |
| Payout ratio | 49.80% | — |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 20.73%● | 13.82% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 19.59%● | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -5.86% | 4.01%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 3.15% | 19.50%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, NVO or VRTX?
- It depends on your goal. value: NVO (lower P/E); growth: NVO (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: NVO (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, NVO leads 9 to 5.
- Is NVO or VRTX cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, NVO is cheaper: NVO trades at a 10.18 P/E and VRTX at 27.22.
- Which has grown faster, NVO or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — NVO at a 20.73% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.82%.
- Does NVO or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- NVO pays a dividend (4.14% yield) while VRTX does not currently pay one.
- Is NVO or VRTX more profitable?
- NVO runs the higher net margin — NVO at 37.14% versus VRTX at 35.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, NVO or VRTX?
- Over the past 10-year, VRTX delivered the higher annualized total return — NVO at 7.88% versus VRTX at 18.13%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Novo Nordisk A/S P/E ratioVertex Pharmaceuticals P/E ratioNovo Nordisk A/S dividend yieldVertex Pharmaceuticals dividend yieldNovo Nordisk A/S ROEVertex Pharmaceuticals ROENovo Nordisk A/S operating marginVertex Pharmaceuticals operating marginNovo Nordisk A/S revenue growthVertex Pharmaceuticals revenue growthNovo Nordisk A/S free cash flowVertex Pharmaceuticals free cash flow
Novo Nordisk A/S & Vertex Pharmaceuticals appear in these rankings
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.