Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
Selected Stocks
Add up to 10 tickers. Use presets or search to get started.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | GILD | 6.0% revenue growth vs NVO's 2.3% |
| Value | NVO | Lower P/E (1.8x vs 17.1x) |
| Quality / Margins | NVO | 33.1% net margin vs GILD's 28.9% |
| Stability / Safety | GILD | Beta 0.38 vs NVO's 1.08 |
| Dividends | NVO | 4.7% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs GILD's 2.1% |
| Momentum (1Y) | GILD | +33.1% vs NVO's -57.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | NVO | 18.1% ROA vs GILD's 14.4%, ROIC 34.9% vs 3.2% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
Gilead Sciences is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing medicines for serious diseases like HIV, viral hepatitis, and cancer. It generates revenue primarily from antiviral drugs — especially HIV treatments like Biktarvy which drive the majority of sales — along with oncology therapies and COVID-19 treatment Veklury. The company's moat lies in its deep expertise in antiviral drug development, a robust HIV franchise with high patient retention, and a pipeline of cell therapy and oncology assets.
Novo Nordisk is a global pharmaceutical company specializing in diabetes and obesity treatments. It generates revenue primarily from diabetes care products—mainly insulin and GLP-1 drugs—which account for over 80% of sales, with its obesity segment growing rapidly. The company's moat comes from its deep expertise in peptide-based therapies, extensive clinical data, and strong brand recognition in diabetes care.
Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
Financial Metrics Comparison
Side-by-side fundamentals across 2 stocks. BestLagging
Financial Scorecard
NVO leads in 2 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). GILD leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 2 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
NVO is the larger business by revenue, generating $297.2B annually — 10.1x GILD's $29.4B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 33.1% (NVO) to 28.9% (GILD). On growth, GILD holds the edge at +4.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $29.4B | $297.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $12.4B | $144.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $8.5B | $98.5B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $9.7B | $56.2B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +80.8% | +81.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +37.4% | +41.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +28.9% | +33.1% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +32.8% | +18.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +4.7% | -21.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +22.5% | -4.6% |
Valuation Metrics
At 10.3x trailing earnings, NVO trades at a 97% valuation discount to GILD's 392.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, NVO's 6.3x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than GILD's 45.7x.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $185.6B | $126.3B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $202.3B | $142.8B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 391.97x | 10.30x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 17.13x | 1.76x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.50x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 45.68x | 6.27x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 6.45x | 2.69x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 9.71x | 5.44x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.01x | 14.11x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NVO delivers a 50.8% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $51 in annual profit, vs $38 for GILD. NVO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.67x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to GILD's 1.39x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), GILD scores 7/9 vs NVO's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +37.6% | +50.8% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +14.4% | +18.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +3.2% | +34.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.4% | +42.8% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 7 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 1.39x | 0.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $16.7B | $104.5B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $10.0B | $26.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $26.7B | $131.0B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 10.56x | 20.26x |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in GILD five years ago would be worth $26,249 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,607 for NVO. Over the past 12 months, GILD leads with a +33.1% total return vs NVO's -57.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors GILD at 25.2% vs NVO's -16.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +22.5% | -28.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +33.1% | -57.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +96.4% | -42.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +162.5% | +16.1% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +101.0% | +76.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +25.2% | -16.7% |
Risk & Volatility
GILD is the less volatile stock with a 0.38 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than NVO's 1.08 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. GILD currently trades 94.7% from its 52-week high vs NVO's 40.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.38x | 1.08x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $157.29 | $91.90 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $93.37 | $37.31 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.7% | +40.8% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 48.8 | 23.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 6.2M | 20.3M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates GILD as "Buy" and NVO as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 25.5% upside for NVO (target: $47) vs 5.7% for GILD (target: $157). For income investors, NVO offers the higher dividend yield at 4.72% vs GILD's 2.10%.
| Metric | GILDGilead Sciences, … | NVONovo Nordisk A/S |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $157.38 | $47.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 58 | 39 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.1% | +4.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 10 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $3.12 | $11.19 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.6% | +0.2% |
Historical Charts
Charts are rendered on first load. Hover for details.
Chart 1Total Return — 5 Years (Rebased to 100)
| Stock | Mar 20 | Feb 26 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) | 100 | 189.51 | +89.5% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 100 | 192.83 | +92.8% |
Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) returned +162% over 5 years vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)'s +16%. A $10,000 investment in GILD 5 years ago would be worth $26,249 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) | $30.4B | $28.8B | -5.4% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | $111.8B | $297.2B | +165.9% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's revenue grew from $111.8B (2016) to $297.2B (2025) — a 11.5% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) | 44.4% | 1.7% | -96.2% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 33.9% | 33.1% | -2.3% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's net margin went from 34% (2016) to 33% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) | 20.4 | 243.1 | +1091.7% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 3.5 | 2.2 | -37.1% |
Gilead Sciences, Inc. has traded in a 15x–243x P/E range over 7 years; current trailing P/E is ~392x. Novo Nordisk A/S has traded in a 2x–6x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~10x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gilead Sciences, In… (GILD) | 9.94 | 0.38 | -96.2% |
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 7.48 | 23.03 | +207.9% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's EPS grew from $7.48 (2016) to $23.03 (2025) — a 13% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Gilead Sciences, Inc. generated $10B FCF in 2024 (-5% vs 2021). Novo Nordisk A/S generated $57B FCF in 2025 (+19% vs 2021).
GILD vs NVO: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is GILD or NVO a better buy right now?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) offers the better valuation at 10.3x trailing P/E (1.8x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) a "Buy" — based on 58 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — GILD or NVO?
On trailing P/E, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the cheapest at 10.3x versus Gilead Sciences, Inc. at 392.0x. On forward P/E, Novo Nordisk A/S is actually cheaper at 1.8x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — GILD or NVO?
Over the past 5 years, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) delivered a total return of +162.5%, compared to +16.1% for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). A $10,000 investment in GILD five years ago would be worth approximately $26K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: GILD returned +101.0% versus NVO's +76.8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — GILD or NVO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) is the lower-risk stock at 0.38β versus Novo Nordisk A/S's 1.08β — meaning NVO is approximately 182% more volatile than GILD relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 67% versus 139% for Gilead Sciences, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — GILD or NVO?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the more profitable company, earning 33.1% net margin versus 1.7% for Gilead Sciences, Inc. — meaning it keeps 33.1% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVO leads at 41.4% versus 5.8% for GILD. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVO leads at 81.0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
06Is GILD or NVO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) trades at 1.8x forward P/E versus 17.1x for Gilead Sciences, Inc. — 15.4x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NVO: 25.5% to $47.00.
07Which pays a better dividend — GILD or NVO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) offers the highest yield at 4.7%, versus 2.1% for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD).
08Is GILD or NVO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Gilead Sciences, Inc. (GILD) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.38), 2.1% yield, +101.0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (GILD: +101.0%, NVO: +76.8%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
09What are the main differences between GILD and NVO?
Both stocks operate in the Healthcare sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both. In terms of investment character: GILD is a mid-cap quality compounder stock; NVO is a mid-cap deep-value stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
Find Stocks Like These
Explore pre-built screens for each stock's profile, or build a custom screen to find stocks that beat both.