VERU vs. NVAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

VERU (Veru Inc.) and NVAX (Novavax, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, VERU returned -16.22%/yr vs -21.99%/yr for NVAX. At a 0.14 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VERU vs. NVAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Veru Inc. (VERU) and Novavax, Inc. (NVAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VERU achieves a 9.81% return, which is significantly lower than NVAX's 51.93% return. Over the past 10 years, VERU has outperformed NVAX with an annualized return of -16.22%, while NVAX has yielded a comparatively lower -21.99% annualized return.

VERU

• 1D: -1.26%
• 1M: 3.98%
• YTD: 9.81%
• 6M: -0.42%
• 1Y: -59.28%
• 3Y*: -39.09%
• 5Y*: -51.59%
• 10Y*: -16.22%

NVAX

• 1D: -2.85%
• 1M: 26.99%
• YTD: 51.93%
• 6M: 54.70%
• 1Y: 44.41%
• 3Y*: 10.24%
• 5Y*: -43.27%
• 10Y*: -21.99%

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

VERU vs. NVAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VERU Veru Inc.	9.81%	-67.10%	-9.65%	-86.36%	-10.36%	-31.91%	158.21%	139.29%	22.81%	25.27%
NVAX Novavax, Inc.	51.93%	-16.42%	67.50%	-53.31%	-92.81%	28.30%	2,701.76%	-89.18%	48.39%	-1.59%

Correlation

The correlation between VERU and NVAX is 0.32, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.32
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.24
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.28
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.22
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 12, 1999	0.15

The correlation between VERU and NVAX shifts across timeframes, from 0.14 (all time) to 0.32 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap VERU : $50.89M NVAX : $1.67B
EPS VERU : -$0.78 NVAX : -$0.52
PS Ratio VERU : 137.99 NVAX : 2.89
Total Revenue (TTM) VERU : $303.45K NVAX : $596.34M
Gross Profit (TTM) VERU : -$57.90K NVAX : $504.72M
EBITDA (TTM) VERU : -$8.20M NVAX : -$57.01M

Return for Risk

VERU vs. NVAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VERU

VERU Risk / Return Rank: 11
VERU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6
VERU Sortino Ratio Rank: 7
VERU Omega Ratio Rank: 8
VERU Calmar Ratio Rank: 11
VERU Martin Ratio Rank: 21

NVAX

NVAX Risk / Return Rank: 61
NVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
NVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 64
NVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 59
NVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 62
NVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 60

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.

VERU vs. NVAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Veru Inc. (VERU) and Novavax, Inc. (NVAX). 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.

	VERU	NVAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	-0.89	0.65	-1.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	-1.27	1.50	-2.77
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	0.84	1.17	-0.32
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.77	1.09	-1.86
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	-0.97	2.13	-3.10
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VERU vs. NVAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VERU Sharpe Ratio is -0.89, which is lower than the NVAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.65. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VERU and NVAX, 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

	VERU	NVAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.89	0.65	-1.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.40	-0.41	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	-0.15	-0.19	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	-0.07	0.00

Drawdowns

VERU vs. NVAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VERU drawdown since its inception was -99.12%, roughly equal to the maximum NVAX drawdown of -98.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VERU and NVAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VERU	NVAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-99.12%	-98.82%	-0.30%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-69.93%	-35.94%	-33.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-88.32%	-74.11%	-14.21%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-99.12%	-98.61%	-0.51%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-99.12%	-98.82%	-0.30%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-99.01%	-96.81%	-2.20%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-54.02%	-70.70%	+16.68%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	55.44%	18.37%	+37.07%

Volatility

VERU vs. NVAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Veru Inc. (VERU) is 12.15%, while Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) has a volatility of 26.80%. This indicates that VERU experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NVAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VERU	NVAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.15%	26.80%	-14.65%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	36.99%	50.99%	-14.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	68.29%	68.26%	+0.03%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	130.61%	106.06%	+24.55%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	109.00%	115.49%	-6.49%

Dividends

VERU vs. NVAX - Dividend Comparison

Neither VERU nor NVAX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VERU and NVAX in my portfolio?

VERU and NVAX have a correlation of 0.32, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VERU or NVAX?

NVAX has higher volatility (26.80%) compared to VERU (12.15%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VERU dropped -99.12% vs NVAX's -98.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

NVAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.65 vs -0.89), 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.