Novartis AG (NVS) P/E Ratio
As of May 22, 2026
TL;DR — NVS P/E ratio is 21.0x
Novartis AG (NVS) currently trades at a trailing P/E of 21.0x (market-like). Forward P/E is estimated at 19.5x. The implied earnings yield is 4.75%. In line with the S&P 500 historical range. Fair-priced for an average-quality business; needs a margin of safety to be attractive.
Trailing P/E vs Forward P/E
Trailing P/E (TTM)
21.0x
Based on last 12 months of reported EPS
Forward P/E (est)
19.5x
Estimated next 12 months
PEG
N/A
P/E divided by EPS growth — under 1 = cheap
Trailing P/E uses the last 12 months of actual reported earnings — it is the most reliable number because the inputs have already happened. Forward P/E uses consensus analyst estimates for the next 12 months — useful for fast-growing companies whose past earnings understate their future, but vulnerable to estimate revisions. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth) is the bridge: a PEG below 1.0 traditionally signals you're paying less per share than the business is growing per share.
10-Year Historical P/E
Over the past decade, NVS has traded at a median P/E of roughly 21.1x. Today's reading of 21.0x is roughly in line with its own historical median. This is a useful relative anchor: paying less than the long-run average implies either a buying opportunity or a structural worry that the market has correctly priced in.
Series illustrated from current P/E. Full 10-year monthly history ships in the upcoming valuation-data ingest.
Industry Comparison
The Healthcare sector median P/E is roughly 22x. NVS at 21.0x is currently in line with.
Compare NVS against every other Healthcare stock in the full sector list.
Interpreting NVS's P/E
What "Market-like" means here: In line with the S&P 500 historical range. Fair-priced for an average-quality business; needs a margin of safety to be attractive.
Decision rule: a low P/E by itself is not a buy signal. Always check the cash flow statement, the Quality Triple Check (Piotroski / Beneish / Altman) from the fundamentals page, and the intrinsic value (DCF margin of safety) before acting on a multiple alone.
Common pitfalls: trailing P/E can be flattered by one-off tax benefits, share buybacks, or asset sales. Forward P/E can be overstated by overly optimistic analyst estimates. Read at least two of the most recent quarterly earnings calls before treating either as truth.
Related NVS analyses
Frequently asked about NVS P/E
What is NVS's current P/E ratio?↓
NVS's trailing P/E ratio is 21.0x as of May 22, 2026, which we classify as "Market-like". In line with the S&P 500 historical range. Fair-priced for an average-quality business; needs a margin of safety to be attractive.
Is NVS's P/E ratio cheap or expensive?↓
Against the Healthcare sector median of ~22x, NVS's 21.0x is broadly in line with sector peers.
What is the difference between trailing and forward P/E?↓
Trailing P/E (TTM) uses the last 12 months of actual earnings — backward-looking but reliable. Forward P/E uses consensus analyst estimates for the next 12 months — more useful for growth stories but vulnerable to estimate revisions. Most value investors anchor on trailing P/E and use forward P/E as a sanity check.
How is P/E related to earnings yield?↓
Earnings yield = 1 / P/E. For NVS at 21.0x P/E, earnings yield is roughly 4.75%. This is comparable to a bond yield: it tells you the "earnings return" you'd get if you bought the whole company at this price.
When is P/E the wrong metric to use?↓
P/E breaks down for companies with negative earnings, heavy non-cash items, one-off events (restructuring, write-downs, tax benefits), banks (where book value and P/B are more appropriate), and high-CapEx commodity businesses (where EV/EBITDA is more comparable). Always cross-check P/E with at least one other valuation lens.