Topic: How To Invest

Hi Pat: May I have your thoughts on Novo Nordisk? I believe it makes a Type 2 diabetes medication, Victoza. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: Novo Nordisk A/S (ADR), $55.41, symbol NVO on New York (Shares outstanding: 2.0 billion; Market cap: $142.5 billion; www.novonordisk.com), is a major producer of diabetes-care products, including insulin. Based in Denmark, it also makes products for hormone replacement therapy and treating coagulation disorders. The company controls 50% of the global insulin market. It gets 50% of its sales from North America, followed by Europe, 18%, China, 11%, and other regions, 21%. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, Novo’s revenue rose 8.0%, to $27.2 billion Danish Krone ($4.0 billion U.S.) from $25.2 billion a year earlier. Earnings rose 22.2%, to $0.55 U.S. per ADR from $0.45. Novo gets about 77% of its revenue from the diabetes market. That adds risk, considering the many global drugmakers looking to take market share with new therapies. However, the company’s Victoza, a once-daily treatment for Type 2 diabetes, is a market leader. As well, Novo is at the forefront of developing “next generation” drugs…