AZN vs. NVS
AZN (AstraZeneca PLC) and NVS (Novartis AG) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, AZN returned 15.24%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for NVS. At a 0.48 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
AZN vs. NVS - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, AZN achieves a -2.87% return, which is significantly lower than NVS's 9.93% return. Over the past 10 years, AZN has outperformed NVS with an annualized return of 15.24%, while NVS has yielded a comparatively lower 10.42% annualized return.
AZN
- 1D
- -1.66%
- 1M
- -6.68%
- YTD
- -2.87%
- 6M
- -2.26%
- 1Y
- 27.07%
- 3Y*
- 7.63%
- 5Y*
- 10.95%
- 10Y*
- 15.24%
NVS
- 1D
- -2.52%
- 1M
- -2.24%
- YTD
- 9.93%
- 6M
- 11.39%
- 1Y
- 30.70%
- 3Y*
- 17.01%
- 5Y*
- 13.78%
- 10Y*
- 10.42%
AZN vs. NVS - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | -2.87% | 43.30% | -0.62% | 1.44% | 19.14% | 19.66% | 3.12% | 35.68% | 13.86% | 33.10% |
NVS Novartis AG | 9.93% | 46.95% | 0.02% | 16.14% | 8.06% | -3.65% | 3.34% | 13.92% | 5.95% | 19.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between AZN and NVS is 0.67, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.67 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.59 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.57 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.55 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 1996 | 0.48 |
The correlation between AZN and NVS shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (all time) to 0.67 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
AZN:
$273.07B
NVS:
$281.81B
AZN:
$6.66
NVS:
$6.99
AZN:
26.28
NVS:
21.04
AZN:
0.04
NVS:
1.42
AZN:
4.52
NVS:
5.08
AZN:
5.77
NVS:
7.32
AZN:
$60.44B
NVS:
$56.05B
AZN:
$49.37B
NVS:
$42.19B
AZN:
$20.47B
NVS:
$22.40B
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Return for Risk
AZN vs. NVS — Risk / Return Rank
AZN
NVS
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.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| AZN | NVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.40 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.30 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.20 | 1.26 | -0.05 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.70 | 2.44 | -0.74 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.55 | 5.80 | -1.25 |
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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.
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Drawdown Indicators
| AZN | NVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -48.94% | -42.10% | -6.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -16.08% | -12.65% | -3.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -27.87% | -19.95% | -7.92% |
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 DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -16.08% | -10.12% | -5.96% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -11.37% | -10.92% | -0.45% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.99% | 5.31% | +0.68% |
Volatility
AZN vs. NVS - Volatility Comparison
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) and Novartis AG (NVS) have volatilities of 7.73% and 7.55%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| AZN | NVS | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.73% | 7.55% | +0.18% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 17.60% | 15.11% | +2.49% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 25.50% | 20.99% | +4.51% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 24.06% | 18.93% | +5.13% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 24.93% | 19.66% | +5.27% |
Dividends
AZN vs. NVS - Dividend Comparison
AZN's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.05%, less than NVS's 3.25% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 3.05% | 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 | 3.25% | 2.90% | 3.84% | 3.44% | 3.70% | 3.86% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.47% | 3.24% | 3.73% | 3.10% |
Financials
AZN vs. NVS - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between AstraZeneca PLC and Novartis AG. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
AZN vs. NVS - Profitability Comparison
AZN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a gross profit of 12.61B and revenue of 15.29B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 82.5%.
NVS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novartis AG reported a gross profit of 10.07B and revenue of 13.52B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 74.4%.
AZN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported an operating income of 4.25B and revenue of 15.29B, resulting in an operating margin of 27.8%.
NVS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novartis AG reported an operating income of 4.24B and revenue of 13.52B, resulting in an operating margin of 31.3%.
AZN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a net income of 3.08B and revenue of 15.29B, resulting in a net margin of 20.2%.
NVS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novartis AG reported a net income of 3.16B and revenue of 13.52B, resulting in a net margin of 23.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
AZN and NVS have a correlation of 0.67, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AZN has higher volatility (7.73%) compared to NVS (7.55%). In terms of maximum drawdown, AZN dropped -48.94% vs NVS's -42.10%.
NVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.47 vs 1.07), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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