VIR vs. NVAX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VIR (Vir Biotechnology, Inc.) and NVAX (Novavax, Inc.) are both stocks. Both operate in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 5 years, VIR returned -27.26%/yr vs -43.88%/yr for NVAX. At a 0.40 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VIR vs. NVAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both stocks are quite close, with VIR having a 51.74% return and NVAX slightly lower at 51.64%.

VIR

• 1D: 4.33%
• 1M: -8.59%
• YTD: 51.74%
• 6M: 34.96%
• 1Y: 73.30%
• 3Y*: -30.00%
• 5Y*: -27.26%
• 10Y*: —

NVAX

• 1D: -0.10%
• 1M: 25.80%
• YTD: 51.64%
• 6M: 48.54%
• 1Y: 42.52%
• 3Y*: 9.09%
• 5Y*: -43.88%
• 10Y*: -22.44%

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

VIR vs. NVAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
VIR Vir Biotechnology, Inc.	51.74%	-17.85%	-27.04%	-60.25%	-39.55%	56.35%	112.96%	-10.31%
NVAX Novavax, Inc.	51.64%	-16.42%	67.50%	-53.31%	-92.81%	28.30%	2,701.76%	-12.72%

Correlation

The correlation between VIR and NVAX is 0.36, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.36
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Oct 14, 2019	0.40

Fundamentals

Market Cap VIR : $1.35B NVAX : $1.66B
EPS VIR : -$3.14 NVAX : -$0.52
PS Ratio VIR : 19.70 NVAX : 2.89
Total Revenue (TTM) VIR : $65.50M NVAX : $596.34M
Gross Profit (TTM) VIR : $183.11M NVAX : $504.72M
EBITDA (TTM) VIR : -$448.10M NVAX : -$57.01M

Return for Risk

VIR vs. NVAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VIR

VIR Risk / Return Rank: 75
VIR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
VIR Sortino Ratio Rank: 74
VIR Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VIR Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
VIR Martin Ratio Rank: 80

NVAX

NVAX Risk / Return Rank: 63
NVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
NVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
NVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 60
NVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
NVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

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.

VIR vs. NVAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (VIR) 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.

	VIR	NVAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.06	0.63	+0.44
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.96	1.47	+0.49
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.22	1.16	+0.06
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.65	1.19	+1.46
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	6.47	2.32	+4.15
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VIR vs. NVAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VIR Sharpe Ratio is 1.06, which is higher than the NVAX Sharpe Ratio of 0.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VIR 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

	VIR	NVAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.06	0.63	+0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.38	-0.42	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	-0.19	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	-0.07	-0.07	0.00

Drawdowns

VIR vs. NVAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VIR drawdown since its inception was -94.85%, roughly equal to the maximum NVAX drawdown of -98.82%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VIR and NVAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VIR	NVAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-94.85%	-98.82%	+3.97%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-27.82%	-35.94%	+8.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-84.10%	-74.11%	-9.99%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-92.15%	-98.61%	+6.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-98.82%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-88.99%	-96.81%	+7.82%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-67.58%	-70.71%	+3.13%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.37%	18.39%	-7.02%

Volatility

VIR vs. NVAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (VIR) is 16.66%, while Novavax, Inc. (NVAX) has a volatility of 26.82%. This indicates that VIR 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

	VIR	NVAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	16.66%	26.82%	-10.16%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	49.69%	50.66%	-0.97%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	69.26%	68.10%	+1.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	72.78%	106.03%	-33.25%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	96.09%	115.45%	-19.36%

Dividends

VIR vs. NVAX - Dividend Comparison

Neither VIR nor NVAX has paid dividends to shareholders.

Tickers have no history of dividend payments

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VIR and NVAX in my portfolio?

VIR and NVAX have a correlation of 0.36, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VIR or NVAX?

NVAX has higher volatility (26.82%) compared to VIR (16.66%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VIR dropped -94.85% vs NVAX's -98.82%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VIR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.06 vs 0.63), 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.