NVS vs. ASND

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

NVS (Novartis AG) and ASND (Ascendis Pharma A/S) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — NVS in Drug Manufacturers - General, ASND in Biotechnology. Over the past 10 years, NVS returned 10.33%/yr vs 31.35%/yr for ASND. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

NVS vs. ASND - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Novartis AG (NVS) and Ascendis Pharma A/S (ASND). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, NVS achieves a 9.43% return, which is significantly higher than ASND's -3.48% return. Over the past 10 years, NVS has underperformed ASND with an annualized return of 10.33%, while ASND has yielded a comparatively higher 31.35% annualized return.

NVS

• 1D: -1.84%
• 1M: 0.27%
• YTD: 9.43%
• 6M: 15.91%
• 1Y: 27.84%
• 3Y*: 17.18%
• 5Y*: 13.87%
• 10Y*: 10.33%

ASND

• 1D: -2.20%
• 1M: -13.76%
• YTD: -3.48%
• 6M: -0.63%
• 1Y: 18.92%
• 3Y*: 30.47%
• 5Y*: 9.47%
• 10Y*: 31.35%

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

NVS vs. ASND - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
NVS Novartis AG	9.43%	46.95%	0.02%	16.14%	8.06%	-3.65%	3.34%	13.92%	5.95%	19.42%
ASND Ascendis Pharma A/S	-3.48%	54.89%	9.31%	3.13%	-9.22%	-19.34%	19.88%	122.06%	56.39%	97.92%

Correlation

The correlation between NVS and ASND is 0.23, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.23
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.20
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.20
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 29, 2015	0.20

Fundamentals

Market Cap NVS : $280.54B ASND : $13.28B
EPS NVS : $6.99 ASND : $8.08
PE Ratio NVS : 20.95 ASND : 25.47
PEG Ratio NVS : 1.42 ASND : 0.12
PS Ratio NVS : 5.06 ASND : 14.88
PB Ratio NVS : 7.28 ASND : 27.18
Total Revenue (TTM) NVS : $56.05B ASND : $867.51M
Gross Profit (TTM) NVS : $42.19B ASND : $764.89M
EBITDA (TTM) NVS : $22.40B ASND : -$6.94M

Return for Risk

NVS vs. ASND — Risk / Return Rank

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

NVS

NVS Risk / Return Rank: 77
NVS Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
NVS Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
NVS Omega Ratio Rank: 73
NVS Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
NVS Martin Ratio Rank: 78

ASND

ASND Risk / Return Rank: 60
ASND Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
ASND Sortino Ratio Rank: 55
ASND Omega Ratio Rank: 53
ASND Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
ASND Martin Ratio Rank: 70

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.

NVS vs. ASND - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Novartis AG (NVS) and Ascendis Pharma A/S (ASND). 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.

	NVS	ASND	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.36	0.52	+0.84
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.94	0.99	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.12	+0.12
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.21	1.09	+1.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	5.43	3.52	+1.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

NVS vs. ASND - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current NVS Sharpe Ratio is 1.36, which is higher than the ASND Sharpe Ratio of 0.52. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of NVS and ASND, 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

	NVS	ASND	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.36	0.52	+0.84
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.74	0.20	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.53	0.62	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.46	-0.05

Drawdowns

NVS vs. ASND - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum NVS drawdown since its inception was -42.10%, smaller than the maximum ASND drawdown of -61.72%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVS and ASND.

Drawdown Indicators

	NVS	ASND	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-42.10%	-61.72%	+19.62%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.65%	-17.62%	+4.97%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-19.95%	-29.15%	+9.20%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-20.42%	-60.46%	+40.04%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-26.03%	-61.72%	+35.69%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-10.52%	-17.62%	+7.10%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-10.93%	-18.71%	+7.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.14%	5.45%	-0.31%

Volatility

NVS vs. ASND - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Novartis AG (NVS) is 6.16%, while Ascendis Pharma A/S (ASND) has a volatility of 14.11%. This indicates that NVS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than ASND based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	NVS	ASND	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.16%	14.11%	-7.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.45%	29.67%	-15.22%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.63%	37.02%	-16.39%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	18.85%	48.63%	-29.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.62%	51.11%	-31.49%

Dividends

NVS vs. ASND - Dividend Comparison

NVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.26%, while ASND has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
ASND Ascendis Pharma A/S	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
NVS Novartis AG	3.26%	2.90%	3.84%	3.44%	3.70%	3.86%	3.22%	3.03%	3.47%	3.24%	3.73%	3.10%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both NVS and ASND in my portfolio?

NVS and ASND have a correlation of 0.23, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, NVS or ASND?

ASND has higher volatility (14.11%) compared to NVS (6.16%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVS dropped -42.10% vs ASND's -61.72%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.36 vs 0.52), 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.