AZN vs. NVS

Last updated Apr 2, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and Novartis AG (NVS).

Performance

AZN vs. NVS - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and Novartis AG (NVS). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

AZN vs. NVS - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
AZN AstraZeneca PLC	11.46%	43.30%	-0.62%	1.44%	19.14%	19.66%	3.12%	35.68%	13.86%	33.10%
NVS Novartis AG	15.91%	46.95%	0.02%	16.14%	8.06%	-3.65%	3.34%	13.92%	5.95%	19.42%

Fundamentals

Market Cap AZN : $313.54B NVS : $299.15B
EPS AZN : $6.55 NVS : $7.20
PE Ratio AZN : 30.64 NVS : 21.55
PEG Ratio AZN : 0.04 NVS : 1.46
PS Ratio AZN : 5.33 NVS : 5.37
PB Ratio AZN : 6.44 NVS : 6.48
Total Revenue (TTM) AZN : $58.74B NVS : $56.15B
Gross Profit (TTM) AZN : $48.11B NVS : $41.12B
EBITDA (TTM) AZN : $19.83B NVS : $22.99B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, AZN achieves a 11.46% return, which is significantly lower than NVS's 15.91% return. Over the past 10 years, AZN has outperformed NVS with an annualized return of 16.92%, while NVS has yielded a comparatively lower 12.09% annualized return.

AZN

• 1D: 1.78%
• 1M: -1.47%
• YTD: 11.46%
• 6M: 21.46%
• 1Y: 42.12%
• 3Y*: 15.74%
• 5Y*: 17.86%
• 10Y*: 16.92%

NVS

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -4.24%
• YTD: 15.91%
• 6M: 21.32%
• 1Y: 45.79%
• 3Y*: 23.19%
• 5Y*: 16.79%
• 10Y*: 12.09%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Return for Risk

AZN vs. NVS — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

AZN

AZN Risk / Return Rank: 84
AZN Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
AZN Sortino Ratio Rank: 82
AZN Omega Ratio Rank: 80
AZN Calmar Ratio Rank: 87
AZN Martin Ratio Rank: 85

NVS

NVS Risk / Return Rank: 90
NVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
NVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 89
NVS Omega Ratio Rank: 87
NVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
NVS Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

AZN vs. NVS - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and Novartis AG (NVS). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	AZN	NVS	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.56	2.13	-0.57
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.25	2.74	-0.49
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.29	1.36	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.25	4.03	-0.77
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.16	11.81	-3.65
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

AZN vs. NVS - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current AZN Sharpe Ratio is 1.56, which is comparable to the NVS Sharpe Ratio of 2.13. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of AZN and NVS, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	AZN	NVS	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.56	2.13	-0.57
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.75	0.91	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.68	0.62	+0.06
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.43	+0.08

Correlation

The correlation between AZN and NVS is 0.48, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

AZN vs. NVS - Dividend Comparison

AZN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.65%, less than NVS's 3.08% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
AZN AstraZeneca PLC	2.65%	1.70%	2.27%	2.15%	2.12%	2.35%	2.80%	2.81%	3.69%	3.95%	5.01%	4.06%
NVS Novartis AG	3.08%	2.90%	3.84%	3.44%	3.70%	3.86%	3.22%	3.03%	3.47%	3.24%	3.73%	3.10%

Drawdowns

AZN vs. NVS - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum AZN drawdown since its inception was -48.94%, which is greater than NVS's maximum drawdown of -42.10%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for AZN and NVS.

Drawdown Indicators

	AZN	NVS	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-48.94%	-42.10%	-6.84%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.24%	-10.76%	-1.48%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.87%	-20.42%	-7.45%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-27.87%	-26.03%	-1.84%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-3.70%	-5.23%	+1.53%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-11.38%	-10.94%	-0.44%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.88%	3.67%	+1.21%

Volatility

AZN vs. NVS - Volatility Comparison

AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has a higher volatility of 7.15% compared to Novartis AG (NVS) at 6.44%. This indicates that AZN's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NVS based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	AZN	NVS	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.15%	6.44%	+0.71%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.20%	14.50%	+4.70%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	27.33%	21.68%	+5.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.85%	18.52%	+5.33%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	24.90%	19.55%	+5.35%

Financials

AZN vs. NVS - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between AstraZeneca PLC and Novartis AG over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

AZN - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a gross profit of 12.39B and revenue of 15.50B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 79.9%.

NVS - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Novartis AG reported a gross profit of 8.40B and revenue of 13.33B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 63.0%.

AZN - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported an operating income of 2.98B and revenue of 15.50B, resulting in an operating margin of 19.2%.

NVS - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Novartis AG reported an operating income of 3.05B and revenue of 13.33B, resulting in an operating margin of 22.8%.

AZN - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a net income of 2.33B and revenue of 15.50B, resulting in a net margin of 15.0%.

NVS - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Novartis AG reported a net income of 2.41B and revenue of 13.33B, resulting in a net margin of 18.1%.