ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

ISRG (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.) and NOVO-B.CO (Novo Nordisk A/S) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — ISRG in Medical Instruments & Supplies, NOVO-B.CO in Biotechnology. Over the past 10 years, ISRG returned 19.37%/yr vs 16.29%/yr for NOVO-B.CO. At a 0.18 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

ISRG is traded in USD, while NOVO-B.CO is traded in DKK. To make them comparable, the NOVO-B.CO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, ISRG achieves a -26.09% return, which is significantly lower than NOVO-B.CO's -14.86% return. Over the past 10 years, ISRG has outperformed NOVO-B.CO with an annualized return of 19.37%, while NOVO-B.CO has yielded a comparatively lower 16.29% annualized return.

ISRG

• 1D: -0.82%
• 1M: -6.99%
• YTD: -26.09%
• 6M: -26.16%
• 1Y: -24.86%
• 3Y*: 10.20%
• 5Y*: 8.37%
• 10Y*: 19.37%

NOVO-B.CO

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: -8.03%
• YTD: -14.86%
• 6M: -6.49%
• 1Y: -41.18%
• 3Y*: 5.14%
• 5Y*: 18.06%
• 10Y*: 16.29%

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

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	-26.09%	8.51%	54.72%	27.14%	-26.15%	31.76%	38.39%	23.43%	31.23%	72.64%
NOVO-B.CO Novo Nordisk A/S	-14.86%	-39.54%	-15.04%	214.95%	23.90%	65.39%	27.16%	32.88%	-10.64%	58.82%

Correlation

The correlation between ISRG and NOVO-B.CO is 0.07, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.14
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.17
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 3, 2007	0.18

The correlation between ISRG and NOVO-B.CO shifts across timeframes, from 0.07 (1 year) to 0.18 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO — Risk / Return Rank

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

ISRG

ISRG Risk / Return Rank: 9
ISRG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
ISRG Sortino Ratio Rank: 10
ISRG Omega Ratio Rank: 11
ISRG Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
ISRG Martin Ratio Rank: 4

NOVO-B.CO

NOVO-B.CO Risk / Return Rank: 13
NOVO-B.CO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
NOVO-B.CO Sortino Ratio Rank: 13
NOVO-B.CO Omega Ratio Rank: 12
NOVO-B.CO Calmar Ratio Rank: 12
NOVO-B.CO Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO). 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.

	ISRG	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.81	-0.75	-0.06
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	-1.14	-0.84	-0.30
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.87	0.88	-0.01
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.78	-0.76	-0.02
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-1.60	-1.14	-0.46
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ISRG Sharpe Ratio is -0.81, which is comparable to the NOVO-B.CO Sharpe Ratio of -0.75. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ISRG and NOVO-B.CO, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	ISRG	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.81	-0.75	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.31	-0.06
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.60	0.36	+0.24
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.48	0.66	-0.18

Drawdowns

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum ISRG drawdown since its inception was -82.26%, which is greater than NOVO-B.CO's maximum drawdown of -74.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for ISRG and NOVO-B.CO.

Drawdown Indicators

	ISRG	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-82.26%	-74.86%	-7.40%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-32.14%	-54.88%	+22.74%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-34.10%	-74.86%	+40.76%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.90%	-74.86%	+24.96%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.90%	-74.86%	+24.96%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-31.43%	-69.56%	+38.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-21.28%	-12.33%	-8.95%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	16.18%	36.42%	-20.24%

Volatility

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Volatility Comparison

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO) have volatilities of 11.58% and 11.16%, 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.

Volatility by Period

	ISRG	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	11.58%	11.16%	+0.42%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.48%	40.40%	-19.92%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	31.02%	55.90%	-24.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	33.17%	58.91%	-25.74%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.39%	45.47%	-13.08%

Dividends

ISRG vs. NOVO-B.CO - Dividend Comparison

ISRG has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NOVO-B.CO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.35%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ISRG Intuitive Surgical, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NOVO-B.CO Novo Nordisk A/S	4.35%	3.58%	1.59%	1.01%	2.38%	2.54%	4.03%	4.22%	5.27%	4.54%	7.38%	2.50%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both ISRG and NOVO-B.CO in my portfolio?

ISRG and NOVO-B.CO have a correlation of 0.07, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.