PFE vs. NVO
PFE (Pfizer Inc.) and NVO (Novo Nordisk A/S) are both stocks. Both operate in the Drug Manufacturers - General industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, PFE returned 2.17%/yr vs 7.06%/yr for NVO. At a 0.24 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.
Performance
PFE vs. NVO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PFE achieves a 8.62% return, which is significantly higher than NVO's -10.58% return. Over the past 10 years, PFE has underperformed NVO with an annualized return of 2.17%, while NVO has yielded a comparatively higher 7.06% annualized return.
PFE
- 1D
- 2.23%
- 1M
- 1.16%
- YTD
- 8.62%
- 6M
- 4.84%
- 1Y
- 14.37%
- 3Y*
- -7.54%
- 5Y*
- -3.38%
- 10Y*
- 2.17%
NVO
- 1D
- 2.69%
- 1M
- -6.47%
- YTD
- -10.58%
- 6M
- -9.53%
- 1Y
- -41.56%
- 3Y*
- -15.73%
- 5Y*
- 2.96%
- 10Y*
- 7.06%
PFE vs. NVO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PFE Pfizer Inc. | 8.62% | 0.65% | -2.22% | -41.26% | -10.41% | 66.70% | 3.07% | -6.91% | 24.82% | 15.90% |
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | -10.58% | -39.22% | -15.93% | 54.84% | 22.66% | 63.52% | 23.33% | 28.70% | -12.98% | 52.92% |
Correlation
The correlation between PFE and NVO is 0.34, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.34 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.24 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.26 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.30 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1982 | 0.24 |
The correlation between PFE and NVO shifts across timeframes, from 0.24 (3 years) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PFE:
$149.98B
NVO:
$195.56B
PFE:
$1.31
NVO:
DKK 27.42
PFE:
19.95
NVO:
10.37
PFE:
0.36
NVO:
0.44
PFE:
2.36
NVO:
3.86
PFE:
1.66
NVO:
6.23
PFE:
$63.32B
NVO:
DKK 327.80B
PFE:
$43.91B
NVO:
DKK 268.30B
PFE:
$16.94B
NVO:
DKK 181.54B
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Return for Risk
PFE vs. NVO — Risk / Return Rank
PFE
NVO
PFE vs. NVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). 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.
| PFE | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +1.41 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | +2.04 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.13 | 0.86 | +0.27 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.26 | -0.76 | +2.02 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.54 | -1.11 | +3.64 |
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Drawdowns
PFE vs. NVO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PFE drawdown since its inception was -69.24%, smaller than the maximum NVO drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PFE and NVO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PFE | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -69.24% | -74.70% | +5.46% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -11.47% | -55.03% | +43.56% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -40.75% | -74.70% | +33.95% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -58.96% | -74.70% | +15.74% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -58.96% | -74.70% | +15.74% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -45.76% | -68.06% | +22.30% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -22.90% | -17.78% | -5.12% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 5.68% | 37.52% | -31.84% |
Volatility
PFE vs. NVO - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for Pfizer Inc. (PFE) is 5.08%, while Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) has a volatility of 10.69%. This indicates that PFE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PFE | NVO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.08% | 10.69% | -5.61% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 14.72% | 38.46% | -23.74% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 23.85% | 51.88% | -28.03% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 25.49% | 38.34% | -12.85% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 23.89% | 32.56% | -8.67% |
Dividends
PFE vs. NVO - Dividend Comparison
PFE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.57%, more than NVO's 4.10% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S | 4.10% | 3.31% | 1.68% | 1.00% | 1.20% | 1.35% | 1.87% | 2.14% | 1.45% | 1.52% | 2.87% | 0.92% |
PFE Pfizer Inc. | 6.57% | 6.91% | 6.33% | 5.70% | 3.12% | 2.64% | 3.92% | 3.68% | 3.12% | 3.53% | 3.69% | 3.47% |
Financials
PFE vs. NVO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between Pfizer Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S. 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
PFE vs. NVO - Profitability Comparison
PFE - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a gross profit of 9.72B and revenue of 14.45B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 67.3%.
NVO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported a gross profit of 83.23B and revenue of 96.82B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 86.0%.
PFE - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported an operating income of 4.03B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in an operating margin of 27.9%.
NVO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported an operating income of 59.62B and revenue of 96.82B, resulting in an operating margin of 61.6%.
PFE - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Pfizer Inc. reported a net income of 2.69B and revenue of 14.45B, resulting in a net margin of 18.6%.
NVO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Novo Nordisk A/S reported a net income of 48.56B and revenue of 96.82B, resulting in a net margin of 50.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PFE and NVO have a correlation of 0.34, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
NVO has higher volatility (10.69%) compared to PFE (5.08%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PFE dropped -69.24% vs NVO's -74.70%.
PFE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.61 vs -0.80), 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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