Comprehensive Stock Comparison
Compare Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) vs Apple Inc. (AAPL) Stock
Analyze side-by-side fundamentals, valuation, growth, and profitability to decide which stock is the better buy.
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Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | AAPL | 6.4% revenue growth vs NVO's 2.3% |
| Value | NVO | Lower P/E (1.8x vs 31.1x), PEG 0.09 vs 1.74 |
| Quality / Margins | NVO | 33.1% net margin vs AAPL's 27.0% |
| Stability / Safety | NVO | Beta 1.08 vs AAPL's 1.28, lower leverage |
| Dividends | NVO | 4.7% yield, 8-year raise streak, vs AAPL's 0.4% |
| Momentum (1Y) | AAPL | +9.7% vs NVO's -57.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | AAPL | 31.1% ROA vs NVO's 18.1%, ROIC 64.5% vs 34.9% |
Who Each Stock Is For
Income & stability
Growth exposure
Long-term compounding (10Y)
Sleep-well-at-night portfolio
Valuation efficiency (growth/$)
Defensive / Recession hedge
Business Model
What each company does and how it makes money
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.
Apple is a technology giant that designs and sells premium consumer electronics — most famously the iPhone — along with related software and services. It generates revenue primarily from hardware sales (roughly 80% of total) and a fast-growing services segment (around 20%) that includes the App Store, subscriptions, and licensing. Its key competitive advantage is a powerful ecosystem that locks users into its hardware, software, and services through seamless integration and high switching costs.
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
AAPL leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). NVO leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Financial Metrics (TTM)
AAPL and NVO operate at a comparable scale, with $435.6B and $297.2B in trailing revenue. NVO is the more profitable business, keeping 33.1% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AAPL's 27.0%. On growth, AAPL holds the edge at +15.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $297.2B | $435.6B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $144.2B | $152.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $98.5B | $117.8B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $56.2B | $123.3B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +81.0% | +47.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +41.4% | +32.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +33.1% | +27.0% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +18.9% | +28.3% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -21.5% | +15.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.6% | +18.3% |
Valuation Metrics
At 10.3x trailing earnings, NVO trades at a 71% valuation discount to AAPL's 35.4x P/E. Adjusting for growth (PEG ratio), NVO offers better value at 0.50x vs AAPL's 1.98x — a lower PEG means you pay less per unit of expected earnings growth.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $126.3B | $3.88T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $142.8B | $3.97T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 10.30x | 35.41x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 1.76x | 31.15x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | 0.50x | 1.98x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 6.27x | 27.45x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 2.69x | 9.33x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 5.44x | 53.76x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 14.11x | 39.33x |
Profitability & Efficiency
AAPL delivers a 133.5% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $134 in annual profit, vs $51 for NVO. NVO carries lower financial leverage with a 0.67x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AAPL's 1.67x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), AAPL scores 7/9 vs NVO's 5/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +50.8% | +133.5% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +18.1% | +31.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +34.9% | +64.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +42.8% | +69.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 5 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.67x | 1.67x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $104.5B | $89.7B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $26.5B | $33.5B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $131.0B | $123.3B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 20.26x | — |
Total Returns (with DRIP)
A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth $21,049 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $11,607 for NVO. Over the past 12 months, AAPL leads with a +9.7% total return vs NVO's -57.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors AAPL at 21.9% vs NVO's -16.7% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -28.5% | -2.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -57.3% | +9.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -42.2% | +81.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +16.1% | +110.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +76.8% | +1027.4% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -16.7% | +21.9% |
Risk & Volatility
NVO is the less volatile stock with a 1.08 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than AAPL's 1.28 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AAPL currently trades 91.5% from its 52-week high vs NVO's 40.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.08x | 1.28x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $91.90 | $288.61 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $37.31 | $169.21 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +40.8% | +91.5% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 23.7 | 57.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 20.3M | 40.9M |
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates NVO as "Buy" and AAPL as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 25.5% upside for NVO (target: $47) vs 14.7% for AAPL (target: $303). For income investors, NVO offers the higher dividend yield at 4.72% vs AAPL's 0.39%.
| Metric | NVONovo Nordisk A/S | AAPLApple Inc. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $47.00 | $303.11 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 39 | 109 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +4.7% | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 8 | 14 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $11.19 | $1.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 100 | 192.83 | +92.8% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 100 | 361.46 | +261.5% |
Apple Inc. (AAPL) returned +110% over 5 years vs Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO)'s +16%. A $10,000 investment in AAPL 5 years ago would be worth $21,049 today (including dividends reinvested).
Chart 2Revenue Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | $111.8B | $297.2B | +165.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | $215.6B | $416.2B | +93.0% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's revenue grew from $111.8B (2016) to $297.2B (2025) — a 11.5% CAGR. Apple Inc.'s revenue grew from $215.6B (2016) to $416.2B (2025) — a 7.6% CAGR.
Chart 3Net Margin Trend — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 33.9% | 33.1% | -2.3% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 21.2% | 26.9% | +27.0% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's net margin went from 34% (2016) to 33% (2025). Apple Inc.'s net margin went from 21% (2016) to 27% (2025).
Chart 4P/E Ratio History — 9 Years
| Stock | 2017 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 3.5 | 2.2 | -37.1% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 18.4 | 36.4 | +97.8% |
Novo Nordisk A/S has traded in a 2x–6x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~10x. Apple Inc. has traded in a 13x–41x P/E range over 9 years; current trailing P/E is ~35x.
Chart 5EPS Growth — 10 Years
| Stock | 2016 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) | 7.48 | 23.03 | +207.9% |
| Apple Inc. (AAPL) | 2.08 | 7.46 | +258.7% |
Novo Nordisk A/S's EPS grew from $7.48 (2016) to $23.03 (2025) — a 13% CAGR. Apple Inc.'s EPS grew from $2.08 (2016) to $7.46 (2025) — a 15% CAGR.
Chart 6Free Cash Flow — 5 Years
Novo Nordisk A/S generated $57B FCF in 2025 (+19% vs 2021). Apple Inc. generated $99B FCF in 2025 (+6% vs 2021).
NVO vs AAPL: Frequently Asked Questions
9 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is NVO or AAPL 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 Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) a "Buy" — based on 39 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 — NVO or AAPL?
On trailing P/E, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the cheapest at 10.3x versus Apple Inc. at 35.4x. On forward P/E, Novo Nordisk A/S is actually cheaper at 1.8x. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: Novo Nordisk A/S wins at 0.09x versus Apple Inc.'s 1.74x — a PEG below 1.0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — NVO or AAPL?
Over the past 5 years, Apple Inc. (AAPL) delivered a total return of +110.5%, compared to +16.1% for Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO). A $10,000 investment in AAPL five years ago would be worth approximately $21K today (assuming dividends reinvested). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AAPL returned +1027% 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 — NVO or AAPL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the lower-risk stock at 1.08β versus Apple Inc.'s 1.28β — meaning AAPL is approximately 19% more volatile than NVO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 67% versus 167% for Apple Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which has better profit margins — NVO or AAPL?
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the more profitable company, earning 33.1% net margin versus 26.9% for Apple 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 32.0% for AAPL. 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 NVO or AAPL more undervalued right now?
The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential. By this metric, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0.09x versus Apple Inc.'s 1.74x. A PEG below 1.0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) trades at 1.8x forward P/E versus 31.1x for Apple Inc. — 29.4x 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 — NVO or AAPL?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends. Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) offers the highest yield at 4.7%, versus 0.4% for Apple Inc. (AAPL).
08Is NVO or AAPL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.08), 4.7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVO: +76.8%, AAPL: +1027%), 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 NVO and AAPL?
These companies operate in different sectors (NVO (Healthcare) and AAPL (Technology)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced. In terms of investment character: NVO is a mid-cap deep-value stock; AAPL is a mega-cap quality compounder stock. NVO pays a dividend while AAPL does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. 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.
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