VRCA vs. NVO

Last updated Jul 11, 2026

VRCA (Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and NVO (Novo Nordisk A/S) are both stocks. Both are in the Healthcare sector — VRCA in Biotechnology, NVO in Drug Manufacturers - General. Over the past 5 years, VRCA returned -42.96%/yr vs 4.91%/yr for NVO. At a 0.13 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VRCA vs. NVO - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRCA achieves a -24.67% return, which is significantly lower than NVO's 0.65% return.

VRCA

• 1D: -4.13%
• 1M: 3.90%
• 6M: -21.21%
• YTD: -24.67%
• 1Y: -22.39%
• 3Y*: -55.11%
• 5Y*: -42.96%
• 10Y*: —

NVO

• 1D: 1.23%
• 1M: 12.76%
• 6M: -12.92%
• YTD: 0.65%
• 1Y: -24.87%
• 3Y*: -11.12%
• 5Y*: 4.91%
• 10Y*: 8.17%

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

VRCA vs. NVO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018
VRCA Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.	-24.67%	18.71%	-90.44%	166.18%	-69.98%	-20.42%	-27.56%	94.97%	-59.25%
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	0.65%	-39.22%	-15.93%	54.84%	22.66%	63.52%	23.33%	28.70%	3.18%

Correlation

The correlation between VRCA and NVO is 0.19, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.19
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 15, 2018	0.13

Fundamentals

Market Cap VRCA : $66.68M NVO : $219.88B
EPS VRCA : -$1.29 NVO : DKK 27.42
PS Ratio VRCA : 2.33 NVO : 4.38
PB Ratio VRCA : 8.31 NVO : 7.08
Total Revenue (TTM) VRCA : $37.16M NVO : DKK 327.80B
Gross Profit (TTM) VRCA : $33.77M NVO : DKK 268.30B
EBITDA (TTM) VRCA : -$13.54M NVO : DKK 181.54B

Return for Risk

VRCA vs. NVO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRCA

VRCA Risk / Return Rank: 33
VRCA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 32
VRCA Sortino Ratio Rank: 39
VRCA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
VRCA Calmar Ratio Rank: 29
VRCA Martin Ratio Rank: 30

NVO

NVO Risk / Return Rank: 24
NVO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 21
NVO Sortino Ratio Rank: 24
NVO Omega Ratio Rank: 22
NVO Calmar Ratio Rank: 25
NVO Martin Ratio Rank: 28

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.

VRCA vs. NVO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) 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.

	VRCA	NVO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.30	-0.53	+0.23
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.18	-0.44	+0.62
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.94	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.46	-0.55	+0.09
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.79	-0.86	+0.07

VRCA vs. NVO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRCA Sharpe Ratio is -0.30, which is higher than the NVO Sharpe Ratio of -0.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRCA 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.

Drawdowns

VRCA vs. NVO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRCA drawdown since its inception was -98.39%, which is greater than NVO's maximum drawdown of -74.70%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRCA and NVO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRCA	NVO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-98.39%	-74.70%	-23.69%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-61.65%	-49.17%	-12.48%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-96.57%	-74.70%	-21.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-97.65%	-74.70%	-22.95%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-74.70%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-96.92%	-64.05%	-32.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-64.43%	-17.86%	-46.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	36.10%	31.50%	+4.60%

Volatility

VRCA vs. NVO - Volatility Comparison

Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) has a higher volatility of 21.42% compared to Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) at 8.69%. This indicates that VRCA'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

	VRCA	NVO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	21.42%	8.69%	+12.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	56.88%	37.47%	+19.41%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	95.89%	51.76%	+44.13%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	100.14%	38.52%	+61.62%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	95.42%	32.59%	+62.83%

Dividends

VRCA vs. NVO - Dividend Comparison

VRCA has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NVO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.64%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NVO Novo Nordisk A/S	3.64%	3.31%	1.68%	1.00%	1.20%	1.35%	1.87%	2.14%	1.45%	1.52%	2.87%	0.92%
VRCA Verrica Pharmaceuticals 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 VRCA and NVO in my portfolio?

VRCA and NVO have a correlation of 0.19, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VRCA or NVO?

VRCA has higher volatility (21.42%) compared to NVO (8.69%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VRCA dropped -98.39% vs NVO's -74.70%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VRCA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (-0.30 vs -0.53), 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.