NVS vs. AZN
NVS (Novartis AG) and AZN (AstraZeneca PLC) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, NVS returned 10.49%/yr vs 12.78%/yr for AZN. Their 0.48 correlation means their historical movements had little consistent relationship.
Performance
NVS vs. AZN - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, NVS achieves a 16.71% return, which is significantly higher than AZN's -5.80% return. Over the past 10 years, NVS has underperformed AZN with an annualized return of 10.49%, while AZN has yielded a comparatively higher 12.78% annualized return.
NVS
- 1D
- -1.45%
- 1M
- -2.35%
- 6M
- 8.22%
- YTD
- 16.71%
- 1Y
- 39.55%
- 3Y*
- 18.79%
- 5Y*
- 15.30%
- 10Y*
- 10.49%
- ALL TIME*
- 9.10%
AZN
- 1D
- -0.99%
- 1M
- -13.07%
- 6M
- -6.66%
- YTD
- -5.80%
- 1Y
- 17.91%
- 3Y*
- 8.37%
- 5Y*
- 10.71%
- 10Y*
- 12.78%
- ALL TIME*
- 12.63%
Liquidity Comparison
| Position | Avg. Volume Value (2W) | Avg. Volume Value (1M) | Avg. Volume Value (3M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $431.89M | $497.68M | $403.88M | |
NVS Novartis AG | $287.25M | $275.96M | $277.92M |
NVS vs. AZN - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NVS Novartis AG | 16.71% | 46.95% | 0.02% | 16.14% | 8.06% | -3.65% | 3.34% | 13.92% | 5.95% | 19.42% |
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | -5.80% | 43.30% | -0.62% | 1.44% | 19.14% | 19.66% | 3.12% | 35.68% | 13.86% | 33.10% |
Correlation
The correlation between NVS and AZN is 0.68, which is moderate. They have sometimes moved together and sometimes differently, sharing some price drivers without tracking each other closely.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most. | 0.68 |
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history. | 0.61 |
Correlation (5Y) Shows whether the relationship held over a longer period. | 0.58 |
Correlation (10Y) Provides a long-term view across more market conditions. | 0.56 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 7, 1996 | 0.48 |
The correlation between NVS and AZN shifts across timeframes, from 0.48 (all time) to 0.68 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
NVS:
$296.80B
AZN:
$131.47B
NVS:
$6.63
AZN:
$13.34
NVS:
23.56
AZN:
12.71
NVS:
1.59
AZN:
0.02
NVS:
5.40
AZN:
2.16
NVS:
7.19
AZN:
2.63
NVS:
$55.63B
AZN:
$61.18B
NVS:
$41.41B
AZN:
$48.56B
NVS:
$22.26B
AZN:
$20.49B
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Return for Risk
NVS vs. AZN — Risk / Return Rank
NVS
AZN
NVS vs. AZN - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Novartis AG (NVS) and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN). 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.
| NVS | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.21 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +1.41 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.33 | 1.15 | +0.18 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 3.29 | 0.92 | +2.37 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 7.73 | 2.43 | +5.30 |
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Drawdowns
NVS vs. AZN - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum NVS drawdown since its inception was -42.10%, smaller than the maximum AZN drawdown of -48.94%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for NVS and AZN.
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Drawdown Indicators
| NVS | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -42.10% | -48.94% | +6.84% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -12.65% | -21.08% | +8.43% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -19.95% | -27.87% | +7.92% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -20.42% | -27.87% | +7.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -26.03% | -27.87% | +1.84% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -4.58% | -18.62% | +14.04% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -10.90% | -11.39% | +0.49% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.38% | 7.99% | -2.61% |
Volatility
NVS vs. AZN - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Novartis AG (NVS) is 7.89%, while AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) has a volatility of 11.83%. This indicates that NVS experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than AZN based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| NVS | AZN | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 7.89% | 11.83% | -3.94% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 16.05% | 19.94% | -3.89% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 21.74% | 27.24% | -5.50% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 19.28% | 24.51% | -5.23% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 19.73% | 24.96% | -5.23% |
Dividends
NVS vs. AZN - Dividend Comparison
NVS's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.06%, less than AZN's 3.14% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AZN AstraZeneca PLC | 3.14% | 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 | 3.06% | 2.90% | 3.84% | 3.44% | 3.70% | 3.86% | 3.22% | 3.03% | 3.47% | 3.24% | 3.73% | 3.10% |
Financials
NVS vs. AZN - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Novartis AG and AstraZeneca PLC. 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
NVS vs. AZN - Profitability Comparison
NVS - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novartis AG reported a gross profit of 10.74B and revenue of 14.42B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 74.5%.
AZN - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a gross profit of 11.18B and revenue of 15.19B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 73.6%.
NVS - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novartis AG reported an operating income of 4.74B and revenue of 14.42B, resulting in an operating margin of 32.8%.
AZN - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported an operating income of 3.07B and revenue of 15.19B, resulting in an operating margin of 20.2%.
NVS - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, Novartis AG reported a net income of 3.27B and revenue of 14.42B, resulting in a net margin of 22.7%.
AZN - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Aug 2026, AstraZeneca PLC reported a net income of 2.48B and revenue of 15.19B, resulting in a net margin of 16.3%.
Frequently Asked Questions
NVS and AZN have a correlation of 0.68, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
AZN has higher volatility (11.83%) compared to NVS (7.89%). In terms of maximum drawdown, NVS dropped -42.10% vs AZN's -48.94%.
NVS currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.93 vs 0.73), 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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