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 August 20, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
NVO
Novo Nordisk A/S
$46.48HealthcareAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
VRTX
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
$552.06HealthcareAt close: Aug 19, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — NVO vs VRTX
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yNVO +141.9% (+9.2%/yr)VRTX +468.6% (+19.0%/yr)VRTX compounded faster over this window
NVO VRTX
NVO vs VRTX: by the numbers
- •NVO is the larger company ($206.40B vs $140.12B market cap).
- •NVO trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (11.45 vs 32.13 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 (1.26% yield), while VRTX has no payments in the available dividend history.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | NVO | VRTX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 11.45 | 32.13 |
| Forward P/E | N/A | 29.41 |
| P/S ratio | 4.04 | 11.18 |
| P/B ratio | 6.11 | 6.97 |
| EV / EBITDA | 8.42 | 26.91 |
| FCF yield | 3.61% | 2.69% |
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 | 1.26% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 16.15% | 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) | -0.98% | 23.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, NVO or VRTX?
- NVO has the lower trailing P/E: NVO trades at 11.45 and VRTX at 32.13. 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 (1.26% 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 9.24% and VRTX delivered 18.87% 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 August 20, 2026.