Should I buy Novo Nordisk stock in 2025?

What is Novo Nordisk?

How much is the Novo Nordisk stock?

The price of Novo Nordisk stock is rising this week. Currently, the stock trades at $69.46 (USD), reflecting a 1.25% gain in the last 24 hours and a positive 1.85% change over the week.

Novo Nordisk exhibits a stock beta ranging from 0.21 to 0.65, indicating lower volatility than the broader market. Given these metrics, investors in South Africa can monitor Novo Nordisk for both stability and potential growth, particularly in the context of its global healthcare leadership.

Our complete analysis of the Novo Nordisk stock

Having carefully analysed Novo Nordisk’s latest financial statements, technical signals, and peer group data through our proprietary quantitative algorithms, we return to one of the most closely watched opportunities in global pharma. Over the past three years, Novo Nordisk has navigated historic volatility and sector headwinds, yet continues to exhibit operational resilience and a compelling innovation pipeline. So, why might Novo Nordisk stock once again become a strategic entry point into the healthtech and pharma sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

After a meteoric rise in 2023–2024, Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO; Copenhagen: NOVO-B) has recently experienced pronounced volatility. As of end-May 2025, the stock trades at $69.46—down 47.65% over one year and 34.55% over six months, placing the price near the lower end of its 52-week range ($57.00–$148.15). Yet, the stock is up 1.85% over the past week and 1.25% intraday, hinting at stabilisation.

Several positive developments contribute to renewed optimism:

• Robust Q1 2025 results: Revenues grew 18% year-on-year and operating profit jumped 20%, powered by continuing demand in GLP-1 therapies.
• Patient base expansion: Novo Nordisk now serves nearly 46 million patients, highlighting resilient product relevance globally.
• Sector trends: The obesity and diabetes management market continues to expand rapidly, with growing recognition of its importance in developing and mature economies—including markets across Africa and the emerging world.

Despite the recent leadership transition (CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen’s announced resignation) and strong competition from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk’s underlying operational results signal a stabilising platform poised for new growth cycles.

Technical Analysis

On technical grounds, Novo Nordisk is showing initial signs of a constructive bottoming process:

• Momentum indicators: The 14-day RSI stands at 53.70 (neutral); the MACD value of 0.54 reflects lingering caution, but is improving; and stochastic at 72.62 is also neutral, suggesting the downside momentum is easing.
• Moving averages: The current price moves solidly above the 5-, 20-, and 50-day moving averages, now at $68.55, $67.05, and $66.88 respectively—all of which flash near-term buy signals. The 100-day and 200-day averages ($75.07 and $95.33) remain above the price, signposting a medium-term reversal-in-progress.
• Key levels: There is well-established technical support near $61.21, with major resistance at ~$109.95. The current price structure and technical consensus (11 bullish, 5 neutral, 6 bearish signals) point towards a new accumulation phase and a likely bullish reversal if macro or fundamental catalysts materialise.

For proactive investors, this technical structure seems to represent an excellent opportunity to enter ahead of a potential trend reversal.

Fundamental Analysis

Novo Nordisk’s core fundamentals reinforce the investment case:

• Profitability & cash flow: With a TTM operating margin of 34.51% and an extraordinary ROE of 88.12%, Novo Nordisk is among the financial elite of the global biotech sector.
• Revenue trajectory: 2025’s Q1 sales rose 18%, and the company is guiding for full-year growth of 13–21% despite revisions. Net income for the trailing twelve months stands between $15.16–15.95 billion on revenue of $43.92–46.21 billion.
• Valuation: The forward P/E ratio of 16.57–17.06 is highly attractive, especially for a market leader with top-tier margins and ongoing secular tailwinds. Current dividend yield (2.32–2.39%) adds an element of income security for long horizon investors.

Structurally, Novo Nordisk’s brand power, global market share in GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy), and leading innovation pipeline in cardiometabolic conditions set it apart from both direct competitors and the broader pharma universe.

Volume and Liquidity

Analysing trading activity, Novo Nordisk maintains an average 3-month daily trading volume of 9.61 million shares, reflecting robust liquidity and sustained interest from global institutional and retail participants. The ADR structure ensures easy accessibility for investors worldwide, including South African investors seeking international exposure.

Importantly, the company’s sizeable public float—combined with the long-term stability offered by the founding Novo Nordisk Foundation’s holdings—contributes to a dynamic yet resilient valuation environment. High liquidity levels offer flexibility for both traders and longer-term portfolio builders looking to scale in.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several clear forward catalysts could drive significant upside:

• Strategic leadership refresh: The CEO transition, while a source of near-term uncertainty, is likely to catalyse new strategic initiatives and commercial focus.
• Product pipeline advancement: Continued dominance in GLP-1 therapies remains central, but Novo Nordisk is also advancing new GLP-1 indications and cardiometabolic interventions.
• Market expansion: The company is strategically positioned to capture growth in underpenetrated geographies, including emerging markets across Africa—especially as the prevalence of diabetes and obesity rises.
• Accessibility and ESG: Initiatives to improve affordability are both expanding the patient base and strengthening reputation, underlining Novo Nordisk’s commitment to sustainable growth.
• Favourable macro tailwinds: Global demographic and regulatory trends—increasing healthcare spend and focus on chronic disease management—offer secular growth for the company’s core franchises.

With the consensus analyst target at $128 (representing an 84.28% potential upside from current levels), market participants appear to be recognising these multiple sources of value accretion.

Investment Strategies

Novo Nordisk offers compelling arguments for a range of investment horizons:

• Short-term: Technical evidence of bottoming and accumulating ahead of the CEO succession may present attractive swing-trade opportunities for nimble investors.
• Medium-term: A likely fundamental reacceleration in H2 2025 as new management articulates a refreshed strategy, coupled with upcoming clinical trial readouts, justifies renewed interest.
• Long-term: For those seeking resilient exposure to secular healthtech trends, Novo Nordisk’s historical discipline in cost control, innovation track record, and dividend profile build a strong case.

Ideal positioning may be achieved by entering near current technical lows ($61–70), with patience to ride out any residual volatility as the company progresses through its strategic transition. Staggered buying or dollar-cost averaging can further optimise entry risk.

Potential headwinds—such as competition from Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, ongoing price pressures, and transitional uncertainty—are well recognised by the market and, at current valuation levels, appear increasingly priced in.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Novo Nordisk?

Synthesising the above, Novo Nordisk’s stock presently sits at the intersection of stabilising technicals and world-class fundamentals. The company combines high operational efficiency (ROE and margin leadership), global scale, and a resilient innovation engine—augmented by recent price correction that brings its valuation into historical alignment.

Despite leadership changes and competitive challenges, Novo Nordisk is well-capitalised, highly liquid, and commands strong brand loyalty across the cardiometabolic landscape. Forward-looking growth, robust dividends, and the potential for a strategic reset point towards renewed upside potential.

For investors seeking a balanced and opportunistic entry into global healthcare and pharma in 2025—particularly those in South Africa considering offshore exposure—Novo Nordisk’s risk/reward profile seems to justify serious consideration for portfolio inclusion. In our view, this is a period where the fundamentals justify renewed interest and strategic accumulation, as the stock may be entering a new bullish phase marked by innovation, financial resilience, and global leadership.

Novo Nordisk stands out as a highly strategic stock at current levels—offering a unique combination of technical support, fundamental strength, and transformative catalysts that merit careful attention and suggest that its recovery cycle may already be underway.

How to buy Novo Nordisk stock in ZA?

Buying Novo Nordisk shares online is now easier and safer than ever for South African investors, thanks to regulated international brokers. You can invest with confidence, either by directly purchasing the company’s shares (“spot buying”) or by trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) that mirror its performance. Both methods are accessible from your computer or smartphone. Spot buying means you own the stock, while with CFDs you speculate on price changes—without taking ownership. Each method has its advantages, which we detail below. To help you choose, a broker comparison is available further down this page.

Spot Buying (Cash Purchase)

A cash purchase means buying Novo Nordisk shares outright, typically via a secure, regulated online broker that provides access to international markets like the NYSE (Novo Nordisk ticker: NVO). You become a shareholder, entitled to dividends and voting rights. Usual charges for South African investors include a fixed commission per order, normally ranging from R60 to R250 (about $3 to $13), plus a small currency conversion fee.

Example

Gain scenario

Trading via CFD (Contract for Difference)

CFD trading allows you to speculate on Novo Nordisk’s price movements—up or down—without owning the actual shares. CFDs are highly flexible and often chosen for short- to medium-term strategies. Fees generally include the spread (difference between buy and sell price) and possible overnight financing costs if positions are kept open after market hours.

Example

Gain scenario

Comparing Brokers Before You Invest

Fees, spreads, and trading conditions can vary significantly between brokers, especially for South Africans trading international stocks. Always review the costs, support, and features each broker offers before making your choice. The right solution depends on your investment goals, whether you prefer to hold shares for the long term (spot buying) or trade more actively with leverage (CFDs). For detailed comparisons and guidance, consult the broker comparison further down this page.

Our 7 tips for buying Novo Nordisk stock

The latest news about Novo Nordisk

Over the past week, Novo Nordisk stock saw a +1.85% rise, outpacing broader healthcare indices. This positive momentum follows the release of solid Q1 2025 results, showing 18% year-on-year sales growth and a 20% operational profit increase, which reassured investors despite recent competitive challenges in the obesity and diabetes segments. Such performance is particularly relevant for South African institutional investors and pension funds that include global healthcare leaders as part of diversified portfolios, as robust earnings reinforce Novo Nordisk’s status as a defensive, high-margin blue-chip asset.

Technical analysis currently signals a buying opportunity, supporting potential interest from South African fund managers. With short- and medium-term moving averages (5, 20, 50 days) all indicating an upward trend, and the stock trading above $69, investors benefit from renewed confidence driven by fundamental stability. The consensus 12-month price target stands at $128 (+84% upside), suggesting meaningful capital appreciation potential—an important consideration as local buyers look for value among global pharmaceutical ADRs listed both in New York and available on the JSE’s international board.

Novo Nordisk maintains a strong local presence in South Africa, ensuring continued relevance for regional healthcare stakeholders. As the exclusive distributor of its GLP-1 product portfolio in SA—including Ozempic and Saxenda for diabetes and obesity management—the company caters to mounting local demand, especially with the South African obesity epidemic remaining a public health priority. The registered status of these products, positive regulatory environment, and alignment with national health strategies amplify Novo Nordisk’s market resilience and support stable long-term regional revenues.

The company’s financial fundamentals remain robust, which is vital for South African institutional investors requiring stability and yield. Novo Nordisk reports a 34.5% profit margin, return on equity of 88%, and a forward dividend yield of up to 2.4%, underpinning its attractiveness for yield-oriented portfolios. Additionally, the stock’s low long-term beta (0.21–0.65) suggests defensive characteristics during global market volatility, a key advantage for South African investors managing currency and risk exposure through dollar- or rand-denominated allocations.

Strategic initiatives to lower the cost and improve access to GLP-1 therapies bolster growth prospects in emerging markets, including Southern Africa. Recent efforts to extend affordable pricing models—exemplified by the promotional launch of Wegovy in the US and ongoing R&D for broader indications—signal commitment to better access. As countries like South Africa expand reimbursement for innovative diabetes and obesity treatments, Novo Nordisk stands to capture incremental demand, strengthening long-term cross-border revenue streams and reinforcing the stock’s constructive outlook for regional investors.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.