NVO vs NVS Stock Comparison: Q4 2025 Earnings Recap and Outlook
Key Takeaways
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Novo Nordisk (NVO) reported Q4 2025 EPS of $1.02, surpassing estimates of $0.92, with revenue of $12.53B vs $11.99B expected.
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Full-year 2025 sales rose 10% at constant exchange rates (CER) to DKK 309B, but 2026 guidance anticipates a 5–13% decline at CER due to pricing pressures.
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Novartis (NVS) posted Q4 core EPS of $2.03, beating $1.99 estimates; net sales of $13.34B slightly missed consensus. FY sales grew 8%, with core EPS up 17% to $8.98.
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NVS reached a 40% core margin ahead of schedule, while 2026 forecasts show low single-digit growth in net sales and a slight decline in core operating income amid patent expirations.
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Key growth drivers: NVO’s obesity care surged 31% to DKK 82.3B (Wegovy), NVS saw Kisqali jump 57% to $4.8B.
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Both companies face U.S. pricing and competitive pressures, but NVS demonstrates margin resilience, whereas NVO focuses on high-volume growth.
Earnings Context: Why This Comparison Matters
Novo Nordisk’s Q4 results underscore its leadership in GLP-1 therapies like Wegovy and Ozempic. Despite slowing U.S. demand and pricing cuts, NVO delivered 10% FY sales growth, though 2026 guidance is cautious.
In contrast, Novartis provides a lens into diversified pharma resilience. NVS posted steady growth despite generic erosion on Entresto and reached margin targets early. With obesity treatments maturing and oncology/immunology competition intensifying, investors must balance NVO’s high-growth but volatile trajectory against NVS’s stability in a competitive biotech landscape.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) Earnings Highlights
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Q4/FY 2025 results (Feb 4, 2026):
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Q4 EPS: $1.02 (+$0.10 vs consensus)
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Revenue: $12.53B (+4.5% vs $11.99B expected)
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Full-year 2025:
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Sales: DKK 309.1B, up 10% at CER
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Obesity care: DKK 82.3B, up 31%, led by Wegovy
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Gross margin: 81%, slightly down due to pricing
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2026 guidance: Adjusted sales and operating profit projected -5% to -13% at CER (excluding 340B reversal), reflecting U.S. pricing pressure and competition.
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Market reaction: Stock dropped ~15% post-earnings on cautious outlook.
Novartis (NVS) Earnings Highlights
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Q4/FY 2025 results (Feb 4, 2026):
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Q4 core EPS: $2.03 vs $1.99 estimate
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Net sales: $13.34B (-1% cc, impacted by Entresto generics)
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Full-year 2025:
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Net sales: +8%
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Core operating income: +14% to CHF 21.9B
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Core EPS: +17% to $8.98
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Core margin: 40.1%, reached ahead of schedule
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Key growth driver: Kisqali (+57% to $4.8B)
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2026 outlook: Net sales expected in low single digits, core operating income slightly down due to patent expirations.
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Market reaction: Shares rose on strong execution and margin discipline.
Earnings Comparison and Market Insights
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Growth drivers:
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NVO: Obesity care (Wegovy) 31%
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NVS: Kisqali/Cosentyx mid-teens growth
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Margin and risk profile:
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NVO: Volume-focused, margins pressured by pricing
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NVS: Diversified, oncology/cardio offsetting patent losses
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Investor sentiment:
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NVS favored for stability and strong margin execution
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NVO seen as higher-risk, high-growth, with volatility linked to pricing resets and U.S. competition
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AI Trading Bot Perspective
Tickeron’s AI-driven bots, such as the Trend Trader for Beginners Strategy for Large Cap Stocks (60-min TA), track momentum in large-cap stocks like NVO and NVS using 60-minute technical analysis. Backtested for volatile sectors, these bots help investors identify entry and exit points in healthcare equities.
Current Tickeron AI assessment:
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Favored stock: NVS
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Rationale: Superior earnings quality, achieved margins amid headwinds, balanced growth outlook, and lower volatility. NVS also offers dividend appeal in a maturing GLP-1 market, while NVO faces a pricing reset and high exposure to metabolic therapies
Disclaimers and Limitations
NVO sees its 50-day moving average cross bullishly above its 200-day moving average
The 50-day moving average for NVO moved above the 200-day moving average on July 22, 2026. This could be a long-term bullish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an upward trend.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator entered the oversold zone -- be on the watch for NVO's price rising or consolidating in the future. That's also the time to consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Stochastic Oscillator is in the oversold zone. Keep an eye out for a move up in the foreseeable future.
Following a 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where NVO advanced for three days, in of 320 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are .
NVO may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
The Aroon Indicator entered an Uptrend today. In of 256 cases where NVO Aroon's Indicator entered an Uptrend, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued Uptrend are .
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on July 31, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on NVO as a result. In of 82 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence Histogram (MACD) for NVO turned negative on July 31, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to turn lower in the coming weeks. Traders may want to sell the stock or buy put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 51 similar instances when the indicator turned negative. In of the 51 cases the stock turned lower in the days that followed. This puts the odds of success at .
NVO moved below its 50-day moving average on August 04, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where NVO declined for three days, the price rose further in of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are .
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is seriously undervalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (6.242) is normal, around the industry mean (19.571). P/E Ratio (10.461) is within average values for comparable stocks, (30.717). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (3.065) is also within normal values, averaging (11.496). Dividend Yield (0.041) settles around the average of (0.031) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.891) is also within normal values, averaging (4.050).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. NVO’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to worse than average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating that the returns do not compensate for the risks. NVO’s unstable profits reported over time resulted in significant Drawdowns within these last five years. A stable profit reduces stock drawdown and volatility. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 64, placing this stock worse than average.
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Fundamental Analysis Ratings
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General Information
a developer of pharmaceutical products
Industry PharmaceuticalsMajor
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