Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX)
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 October 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
$37.32HealthcareDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$504.73HealthcareDelayed quote: Oct 2, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — NVO vs VRTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNVO +132.2% (+8.8%/yr)VRTX +493.8% (+19.5%/yr)VRTX compounded faster over this window
NVO VRTX
NVO vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •NVO is the larger company ($165.72B vs $128.10B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (9.20 vs 29.38 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •NVO converts more revenue to profit (35.33% vs 34.89% net margin).
- •NVO grew revenue faster over the past five years (19.76% vs 13.57% CAGR).
- •NVO pays a dividend (4.81% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 9.20 | 29.38 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 27.03 |
| PEG ratio | 0.47 | 3.54 |
| P/S ratio | 3.25 | 10.15 |
| P/B ratio | 4.91 | 6.33 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.88 | 24.34 |
| FCF yield | 4.49% | 2.96% |
Profitability
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 80.64% | 86.04% |
| Operating margin | 43.10% | 38.59% |
| Net margin | 35.33% | 34.89% |
| ROE | 53.50% | 21.76% |
| ROIC | 30.21% | 17.33% |
Dividends
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.81% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 44.27% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 19.76% | 13.57% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 19.59% | 8.17% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -1.45% | 16.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -2.72% | 22.84% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NVO or VRTX?
- NVO has the lower trailing P/E: NVO trades at 9.20 and VRTX at 29.38. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, NVO or VRTX?
- Over the past five years, NVO grew revenue faster — NVO at a 19.76% CAGR versus VRTX at 13.57%.
- Does NVO or VRTX pay a bigger dividend?
- NVO pays a dividend (4.81% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
- Is NVO or VRTX more profitable?
- NVO runs the higher net margin — NVO at 35.33% versus VRTX at 34.89%.
- How have NVO and VRTX total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, NVO delivered 8.52% and VRTX delivered 19.18% annualized total return. 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 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 October 4, 2026.