Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) Cut to “Strong Sell” at Zacks Research

Zacks Research downgraded shares of Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) from a hold rating to a strong sell rating in a research note released on Monday morning,Zacks.com reports.

NVO has been the topic of a number of other reports. BMO Capital Markets reaffirmed a “market perform” rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Novo Nordisk A/S from a “sell (d+)” rating to a “hold (c-)” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. CICC Research initiated coverage on Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Friday, January 9th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $73.50 target price on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a report on Thursday, January 22nd. Finally, Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an “underweight” rating and issued a $42.00 price target on shares of Novo Nordisk A/S in a research report on Wednesday, December 3rd. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eleven have assigned a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $56.07.

Novo Nordisk A/S Stock Performance

Shares of NVO stock opened at $48.77 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $53.69 and a 200 day moving average of $53.39. The firm has a market capitalization of $217.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.06 and a beta of 0.67. Novo Nordisk A/S has a 52 week low of $43.08 and a 52 week high of $93.80.

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, February 3rd. The company reported $1.01 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.11. Novo Nordisk A/S had a net margin of 33.03% and a return on equity of 68.91%. The firm had revenue of $12.43 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $11.97 billion. As a group, research analysts expect that Novo Nordisk A/S will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current year.

Novo Nordisk A/S Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 30th will be given a dividend of $1.2751 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 541.0%. Novo Nordisk A/S’s payout ratio is presently 23.63%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Novo Nordisk A/S

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in NVO. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 4,190.8% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 13,984,789 shares of the company’s stock worth $776,016,000 after purchasing an additional 13,658,867 shares during the period. Capital International Investors lifted its holdings in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 52.4% in the third quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 17,713,424 shares of the company’s stock worth $982,969,000 after buying an additional 6,092,192 shares in the last quarter. Boston Partners bought a new position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S during the third quarter worth $310,199,000. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in Novo Nordisk A/S by 2,101.5% during the third quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 2,383,176 shares of the company’s stock valued at $132,242,000 after acquiring an additional 2,274,925 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Novo Nordisk A/S by 101.4% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,475,300 shares of the company’s stock valued at $170,845,000 after purchasing an additional 1,246,467 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 11.54% of the company’s stock.

More Novo Nordisk A/S News

Here are the key news stories impacting Novo Nordisk A/S this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Competitor disruption: Hims & Hers pulled compounded semaglutide after regulatory and patent pressure, reducing a lower‑priced competitor and supporting Novo’s pricing and market share. Novo Nordisk Rallies 3.6% as Hims & Hers Pulls Compounded Semaglutide
• Positive Sentiment: Patent enforcement: Novo opened a U.S. patent lawsuit against Hims over Wegovy copies — a move that could deter copycat suppliers and protect revenue. Novo Nordisk opens new front with patent suit over Hims’ Wegovy copies
• Positive Sentiment: Product expansion: Novo plans to launch Wegovy in vials, expanding formulation options and potentially improving uptake and manufacturing flexibility for the obesity pill. Novo Nordisk plans to launch Wegovy vials
• Positive Sentiment: Demand signal: A study shows many Wegovy pill users were new to GLP‑1 treatments, implying the drug is expanding the market rather than just displacing existing patients. Many users of Novo Nordisk Wegovy pill new to GLP-1s – study
• Neutral Sentiment: Medicare opportunity: CEO Mike Doustdar highlighted a potential 15 million‑patient opportunity if Medicare covers obesity treatments — a meaningful long‑term revenue opportunity but one that won’t open overnight. Novo Nordisk CEO sees 15 million-patient opportunity in Medicare coverage for obesity drugs
• Neutral Sentiment: Insider trading disclosures: The company filed routine disclosures showing trades by board members and executives; such filings are standard but watched by investors for signal. Trading in Novo Nordisk shares by board members, executives and associated persons
• Neutral Sentiment: Company narrative: Coverage notes 2026 as a “show me” year—management is focused on defending share amid a dramatic pill launch and intensifying competition; this frames both upside and execution risk. Novo Nordisk faces a defining year in the obesity drug market. It’s off to a dramatic start
• Negative Sentiment: Regulatory pressure: The FDA flagged a TV ad for the Wegovy pill as misleading and broader FDA warnings plus lawsuits are testing Novo’s valuation and investor confidence. Novo’s TV ad for Wegovy pill had misleading claims, FDA says
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst pressure: Deutsche Bank cut its price target and Zacks downgraded Novo to “strong sell,” reflecting concern after softer guidance and revenue headwinds — analyst moves can amplify selling pressure. Novo Nordisk target cut by Deutsche Bank despite long-term optimism Zacks.com downgrade
• Negative Sentiment: Guidance and growth concerns: Articles highlight weak 2026 outlook and slowing sales growth for Ozempic/Wegovy, which is the primary fundamental reason investors are trimming exposure. Is Novo Nordisk’s Turnaround Story at Risk After Weak 2026 Outlook?

Novo Nordisk A/S Company Profile

Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd, Denmark, best known for its leadership in diabetes care and metabolic health. The company traces its roots to early Danish insulin production in the 1920s and was established in its current form through a 1989 merger of predecessor companies. Novo Nordisk develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and devices that address chronic and serious diseases, with a strong emphasis on long-term treatment and patient support.

The company’s core product portfolio centers on diabetes therapies, including a range of insulins and modern incretin-based treatments.