VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VRTX (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated) and NOVO-B.CO (Novo Nordisk A/S) are both stocks. Both operate in the Biotechnology industry within the Healthcare sector. Over the past 10 years, VRTX returned 17.15%/yr vs 17.63%/yr for NOVO-B.CO. At a 0.16 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Different Trading Currencies

VRTX is traded in USD, while NOVO-B.CO is traded in DKK. To make them comparable, the NOVO-B.CO values have been converted to USD using the latest available exchange rates.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VRTX achieves a -1.86% return, which is significantly higher than NOVO-B.CO's -10.15% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with VRTX having a 17.15% annualized return and NOVO-B.CO not far ahead at 17.63%.

VRTX

• 1D: -0.03%
• 1M: -1.22%
• YTD: -1.86%
• 6M: -1.57%
• 1Y: -2.31%
• 3Y*: 9.16%
• 5Y*: 18.18%
• 10Y*: 17.15%

NOVO-B.CO

• 1D: 1.53%
• 1M: -5.28%
• YTD: -10.15%
• 6M: -8.95%
• 1Y: -41.84%
• 3Y*: 6.83%
• 5Y*: 19.41%
• 10Y*: 17.63%

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

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	-1.86%	12.58%	-1.03%	40.90%	31.50%	-7.08%	7.94%	32.13%	10.58%	103.42%
NOVO-B.CO Novo Nordisk A/S	-10.15%	-39.54%	-15.04%	214.95%	23.90%	65.39%	27.16%	32.88%	-10.64%	58.82%

Correlation

The correlation between VRTX and NOVO-B.CO is 0.12, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.12
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.19
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.17
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 7, 2007	0.16

Return for Risk

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO — Risk / Return Rank

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

VRTX

VRTX Risk / Return Rank: 37
VRTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
VRTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 34
VRTX Omega Ratio Rank: 35
VRTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
VRTX Martin Ratio Rank: 37

NOVO-B.CO

NOVO-B.CO Risk / Return Rank: 13
NOVO-B.CO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 10
NOVO-B.CO Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
NOVO-B.CO Omega Ratio Rank: 12
NOVO-B.CO Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
NOVO-B.CO 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.

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) and Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO). 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.

	VRTX	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	-0.10	-0.77	+0.67
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.10	-0.89	+0.99
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.02	0.88	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	-0.14	-0.79	+0.65
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	-0.29	-1.17	+0.88

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VRTX Sharpe Ratio is -0.10, which is higher than the NOVO-B.CO Sharpe Ratio of -0.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VRTX and NOVO-B.CO, 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

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VRTX drawdown since its inception was -91.77%, which is greater than NOVO-B.CO's maximum drawdown of -74.86%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VRTX and NOVO-B.CO.

Drawdown Indicators

	VRTX	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-91.77%	-74.86%	-16.91%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-23.56%	-54.48%	+30.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-29.07%	-74.86%	+45.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.07%	-74.86%	+45.79%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-41.60%	-74.86%	+33.26%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-13.90%	-67.88%	+53.98%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-37.73%	-12.38%	-25.35%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	11.30%	36.72%	-25.42%

Volatility

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (VRTX) is 7.47%, while Novo Nordisk A/S (NOVO-B.CO) has a volatility of 12.08%. This indicates that VRTX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than NOVO-B.CO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VRTX	NOVO-B.CO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.47%	12.08%	-4.61%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.71%	40.71%	-20.00%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	34.13%	55.70%	-21.57%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	28.53%	58.93%	-30.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	32.82%	45.48%	-12.66%

Dividends

VRTX vs. NOVO-B.CO - Dividend Comparison

VRTX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while NOVO-B.CO's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.07%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
NOVO-B.CO Novo Nordisk A/S	4.07%	3.58%	1.59%	1.01%	2.38%	2.54%	4.03%	4.22%	5.27%	4.54%	7.38%	2.50%
VRTX Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated	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 VRTX and NOVO-B.CO in my portfolio?

VRTX and NOVO-B.CO have a correlation of 0.12, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.