What five years of weekly data say
- LLY returned +39.2% a year and NVO −0.8% a year over the past five years, dividends reinvested.
- LLY was the calmer ride: 33% annual volatility, against 42%.
- Loosely linked (correlation 0.38). They often part ways, so each can soften the other’s bad weeks.
- NVO pays more income: a 4.16% yield, against 0.60% for LLY.
The numbers side by side
| Metric | LLLLY | NVNVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1152.93 | $43.24 |
| Market value | $1.03T | $191.03B |
| 1-year return | +54.3% (ahead) | −26.1% |
| 3-year return, a year | +28.8% (ahead) | −19.8% |
| 5-year return, a year | +39.1% (ahead) | −0.8% |
| Volatility, a year | 33% (ahead) | 42% |
| Worst drawdown | −34% (ahead) | −74% |
| Worst week | −17.9% (ahead)Aug 2025 | −32.8%Jul 2025 |
| Beta | 0.50 | 0.34 |
| P/E ratio | 38.8× | 10.7× |
| Dividend yield | 0.60% | 4.16% |
Do LLY and NVO move together?
Correlation compares LLY’s and NVO’s weekly returns from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Two holdings near +1 fall on the same weeks, so owning both doesn’t cushion anything. Your portfolio has more than two lines, and Portfolio Terminal runs this check across every pair you hold.
How far each one fell
LLY
−34%
From its Aug 2024 high to Aug 2025. Back at that high by Nov 2025.
NVO
−74%
From its Jun 2024 high to Mar 2026. Still 67% below it today.
Worst peak-to-trough fall on weekly closes · dividends reinvested
LLY vs NVO: what people ask
Is LLY better than NVO?
Over the past five years, LLY delivered the higher return: +39.2% a year against −0.8% for NVO, dividends reinvested. Its worst fall was also shallower (−34% against −74%). Which is better depends on the job it does in your portfolio, and past returns don’t predict future ones.
What is the difference between LLY and NVO?
LLY is Eli Lilly and Company (Drug Manufacturers—General), worth $1.03T. NVO is Novo Nordisk A/S (Drug Manufacturers—General), worth $191.03B.
Should I own both LLY and NVO?
Their weekly returns had a correlation of 0.38 over the past five years. They often part ways, so each can soften the other’s bad weeks. Whether that suits you depends on everything else you hold, which is the check Portfolio Terminal runs across a whole portfolio.
Which is riskier, LLY or NVO?
NVO swung more: 42% annual volatility against 33% for LLY. At their worst, LLY fell 34% and NVO 74% from a previous high. Against the broad market, their betas are 0.50 and 0.34.
Which pays a higher dividend, LLY or NVO?
NVO currently yields 4.16%, against 0.60% for LLY. Yields move with price, so a higher yield can also mean a falling price.
Returns use weekly closes adjusted for dividends and splits, from Sep 2021 to Sep 2026. Quotes, fees and holdings come from public market data and refresh hourly. This page describes what happened; it is not investment advice, and past performance doesn’t predict future returns.