VKTX vs. NVO

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

VKTX (Viking Therapeutics, Inc.) and NVO (Novo Nordisk A/S) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — VKTX in Biotechnology, NVO in Drug Manufacturers - General. Over the past 10 years, VKTX returned 36.31%/yr vs 6.20%/yr for NVO. At a 0.20 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VKTX vs. NVO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with VKTX having a -16.88% return and NVO slightly higher at -16.56%. Over the past 10 years, VKTX has outperformed NVO with an annualized return of 36.31%, while NVO has yielded a comparatively lower 6.20% annualized return.

VKTX

• 1D: 2.78%
• 1M: -6.67%
• YTD: -16.88%
• 6M: -23.01%
• 1Y: 5.07%
• 3Y*: 6.41%
• 5Y*: 39.22%
• 10Y*: 36.31%

NVO

• 1D: -4.52%
• 1M: -10.96%
• YTD: -16.56%
• 6M: -9.23%
• 1Y: -42.47%
• 3Y*: -17.53%
• 5Y*: 1.78%
• 10Y*: 6.20%

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

VKTX vs. NVO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	-16.88%	-12.57%	116.23%	97.98%	104.35%	-18.29%	-29.80%	4.84%	88.42%	241.18%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	-16.56%	-39.22%	-15.93%	54.84%	22.66%	63.52%	23.33%	28.70%	-12.98%	52.92%

Correlation

The correlation between VKTX 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	0.29
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.26
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.23
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 30, 2015	0.20

The correlation between VKTX and NVO shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (all time) to 0.34 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap VKTX : $3.38B NVO : $182.49B
EPS VKTX : -$4.16 NVO : $27.42
PB Ratio VKTX : 6.73 NVO : 0.90
Total Revenue (TTM) VKTX : $0.00 NVO : $327.80B
Gross Profit (TTM) VKTX : -$208.00K NVO : $268.30B
EBITDA (TTM) VKTX : -$501.77M NVO : $181.54B

Return for Risk

VKTX vs. NVO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VKTX

VKTX Risk / Return Rank: 46
VKTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
VKTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
VKTX Omega Ratio Rank: 49
VKTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
VKTX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

NVO

NVO Risk / Return Rank: 12
NVO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 9
NVO Sortino Ratio Rank: 12
NVO Omega Ratio Rank: 10
NVO Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
NVO Martin Ratio Rank: 17

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.

VKTX vs. NVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) 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.

	VKTX	NVO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.07	-0.82	+0.89
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.63	-1.01	+1.64
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	0.86	+0.24
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.11	-0.77	+0.89
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	0.23	-1.14	+1.37
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VKTX vs. NVO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VKTX Sharpe Ratio is 0.07, which is higher than the NVO Sharpe Ratio of -0.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VKTX and NVO, 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

	VKTX	NVO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.07	-0.82	+0.89
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39	0.05	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.38	0.19	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.11	0.47	-0.36

Drawdowns

VKTX vs. NVO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VKTX drawdown since its inception was -90.41%, which is greater than NVO's maximum drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VKTX and NVO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VKTX	NVO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-90.41%	-74.70%	-15.71%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-45.14%	-55.03%	+9.89%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-78.86%	-74.70%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-78.86%	-74.70%	-4.16%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-89.26%	-74.70%	-14.56%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-69.06%	-70.19%	+1.13%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-60.02%	-17.77%	-42.25%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	22.54%	37.21%	-14.67%

Volatility

VKTX vs. NVO - Volatility Comparison

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. (VKTX) has a higher volatility of 14.20% compared to Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) at 9.75%. This indicates that VKTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than NVO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VKTX	NVO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.20%	9.75%	+4.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.45%	38.30%	+2.15%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	74.12%	52.08%	+22.04%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	101.63%	38.31%	+63.32%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	97.07%	32.56%	+64.51%

Dividends

VKTX vs. NVO - Dividend Comparison

VKTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NVO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.39%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	4.39%	3.31%	1.68%	1.00%	1.20%	1.35%	1.87%	2.14%	1.45%	1.52%	2.87%	0.92%
VKTX Viking Therapeutics, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VKTX and NVO in my portfolio?

VKTX 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.

Which is riskier, VKTX or NVO?

VKTX has higher volatility (14.20%) compared to NVO (9.75%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VKTX dropped -90.41% vs NVO's -74.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VKTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.07 vs -0.82), 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.