Bristol Myers Squibb vs. Novo Nordisk: A Comparative Analysis of Healthcare Stocks for 2026
In 2026, Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) are showing divergent performance trends in the healthcare sector. BMY has raised its revenue outlook due to strong growth from its Growth Portfolio and a recent agreement with the U.S. government for free Eliquis prescriptions under Medicaid starting 2026, while NVO anticipates flat or declining sales at best despite earlier optimism. Bristol Myers Squibb reported $48.2 billion in revenue for fiscal 2025, recovering from a net loss to achieve a $7.1 billion profit and raising its full-year guidance to between $49 billion and $50 billion. In contrast, Novo Nordisk saw $47.5 billion in revenue with strong profitability but faces challenges including investor skepticism after its Capital Markets Day event and potential sales declines. BMY has a higher gross margin (66.64%) compared to NVO's 80.65%, while both companies maintain solid dividend yields, at 3.99% for BMY and 4.63% for NVO. However, Bristol Myers Squibb carries more debt relative to equity than Novo Nordisk.
Topics: Bristol Myers Squibb Novo Nordisk revenue outlook stock performance