Novo Nordisk A/S, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research and development, manufacture, and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North America, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Diabetes and Obesity Care, and Rare Disease. The Diabetes and Obesity care segment provides products for diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, and other emerging therapy areas. The Rare Disease segment offers products in the areas of rare blood disorders, rare endocrine disorders, and hormone replacement therapy. The company also provides insulin pens, growth hormone pens, and injection needles. In addition, it offers smart solutions for diabetes treatment, such as smart insulin pens and Dose Check, an insulin dose guidance application. The company has a collaboration agreement with Aspen Pharmaceuticals to produce insulin products. Novo Nordisk A/S was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Bagsvaerd, Denmark.

Novo Nordisk looks like a company with very strong operating efficiency, but with a noticeable premium on several valuation multiples and weak short-term liquidity. A P/E of 14.08 is 33.2% below the industry median, and its decline across several periods indicates an improvement in valuation relative to earnings, which supports the idea of undervaluation on an earnings-based metric. At the same time, P/S of 4.18, P/B of 7.29, and P/FCF of 22.80 are above industry medians, and the especially high P/B points to expensiveness relative to book value. Profitability looks outstanding: ROE of 67.11%, ROA of 23.53%, and ROI of 42.91% are significantly above the industry, while an operating margin of 45.53% and net margin of 37.33% confirm strong pricing power and business quality. Margin dynamics overall remain high, although the gross margin of around 81.92% is only slightly above the median, meaning the main contribution to quality comes not from gross efficiency but from operating and net efficiency. Revenue, EBITDA, operating profit, and net income are growing, which is positive for valuation and shows that the business continues to scale. The balance sheet is not perfect: a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.56 are notably below industry benchmarks, indicating limited short-term liquidity. Debt/equity of 0.59 and the rise in long-term debt to 18.66 billion suggest a moderately elevated debt burden, although it does not yet appear critical for such a profitable business. Equity and assets are growing, which partly offsets debt risk and supports financial stability. The dividend yield of 3.45% looks more attractive than in previous periods and adds a defensive element for investors. Overall, the fundamentals remain strong, but due to expensive multiples on revenue, balance sheet, and cash flow, as well as weak liquidity, the valuation should be adjusted cautiously downward. For an investor, this is a story of a high-quality, profitable, and growing business, but no longer with as much room for optimism as companies with cheaper balance sheet and cash-based valuations.

Novo Nordisk A/S

Novo Nordisk’s strong profitability and growth are paired with expensive P/B, P/S, and P/FCF ratios, as well as weak liquidity, so the valuation appears high-quality but cautious.

Key Points
Novo Nordisk has several promising GLP-1 medicines in its pipeline that will help it remain a leader in this market.
Becton, Dickinson is capitalizing on the rising demand for prefillable syringes driven by the GLP-1 boom.
Dexcom markets devices that could gain popularity alongside GLP-1 drugs.
The first GLP-1 medicine was approved in the U.S. in 2005 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Since then, breakthroughs have occurred in the field. Medicines in this class are now indicated for chronic weight management, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, and other conditions. Analysts predict that the market for GLP-1 drugs will expand rapidly over the next decade, and several companies could capitalize on it. Let's consider three corporations whose businesses may benefit from the GLP-1 boom to invest in today: Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX), and Dexcom (NASDAQ: DXCM).
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1. Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk has been a pioneer in the GLP-1 market. The company's Ozempic and Wegovy -- two GLP-1 medicines -- have become household names. However, the Denmark-based pharmaceutical giant has lost significant market share to its main competitor in this niche, Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY). That said, Novo Nordisk can still capitalize on the GLP-1 boom over the medium term. In January, Novo Nordisk launched oral Wegovy, the first GLP-1 pill approved for weight loss, and it has been a smashing success. This is a niche of the industry where Novo Nordisk is even beating Eli Lilly. Novo Nordisk also has several products in the pipeline that could gain approval within a few years, helping cement its market position.
The list includes Amycretin, a dual GLP-1 and amylin agonist. Amycretin has shown highly promising results in early stage studies for weight loss and diabetes, and it could prove even more effective than Wegovy in phase 3 clinical trials. Beyond its core therapeutic area, Novo Nordisk is gradually building a stronger business elsewhere, especially in rare blood diseases. The company has achieved significant clinical wins in this field. Over the next few years, Novo Nordisk could bounce back from the issues it has faced and deliver solid returns, largely thanks to its work in the GLP-1 space.
2. Becton, Dickinson
The past five years have been rough for Becton, Dickinson, a medical device specialist. Slow revenue and earnings growth have led to terrible stock market performances for the company. However, Becton, Dickinson is slowly turning things around, and its exposure to the GLP-1 market may help. Becton, Dickinson is a leading manufacturer of self-injection systems (such as prefillable syringes) that patients use to take GLP-1 medicines. As demand for these drugs continues to expand, Becton, Dickinson is also seeing growing sales from that side of its business. Earlier this year, the company announced long-term deals with major pharmaceutical companies for two next-gen GLP-1 programs, which highlights that it has a runway for growth that extends years into the future.
Becton, Dickinson is investing more to ensure it can tap into this opportunity. In January, it announced a $110 million investment to expand its manufacturing capacity. The company is well-positioned to ride this tailwind, and there are other reasons to buy the stock, especially the dividend. Becton, Dickinson is a Dividend King, a corporation with 50 (or more) years of consecutive dividend increases. The GLP-1 opportunity should help boost sales growth, and Becton, Dickinson's dividend program is likely to remain intact over the long run.
3. Dexcom
Dexcom is a major player in the continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) market, helping patients with diabetes track their blood sugar in real time. According to some data, patients on GLP-1s and CGMs can achieve better outcomes -- such as improvements in blood sugar levels -- compared to those using GLP-1s alone. This could lead to higher demand for Dexcom's CGM devices and strengthen the company's competitive advantage. Dexcom's devices, including its G series of CGM systems, are compatible with a range of other devices indicated for diabetes patients, including insulin pens and pumps, among others. The more patients use its CGM systems, the more valuable its ecosystem becomes.
Dexcom has attractive opportunities ahead. As the company argues, over nine million patients in the U.S. have reimbursement for CGM but have yet to switch to these devices. Meanwhile, the company had a worldwide installed base of 3.5 million as of 2025. Further, the company has expanded its market by launching Stelo. This over-the-counter product can be used even by patients who aren't diabetic. Over the long run, the company should enter new territories and launch newer, better devices, as it has in the past. Dexcom has faced challenges in recent years as sales growth has declined, but its outlook over the next few years appears attractive. Soaring demand for GLP-1 products may help it rebound from recent woes through the associated increased prescriptions for its CGM devices.
Should you buy stock in Novo Nordisk right now?
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Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool recommends DexCom and recommends the following options: long January 2027 $65 calls on DexCom and short January 2027 $75 calls on DexCom. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Beaten-Down Stocks With GLP-1 Exposure to Buy and Hold

Novo Nordisk NVO is a dominant player in the cardiometabolic space, mainly due to the encouraging uptake of its blockbuster semaglutide-based (GLP-1) drugs — Ozempic (for type II diabetes [T2D]) and Wegovy (for obesity).
Since launch, Novo Nordisk has steadily expanded the commercial opportunity for both Ozempic and Wegovy through multiple label expansions. Together, the drugs generated DKK 63.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026, representing about 65% of NVO’s total sales. Investors will be most interested in the sales numbers for these two drugs when Novo Nordisk reports second-quarter 2026 results on Aug. 5.
Novo Nordisk has also broadened its oral semaglutide franchise. Following the FDA approval of the oral Wegovy pill to treat obesity and reduce cardiovascular risk in late December, the drug was launched in the United States in early January, offering a more convenient alternative to injections. The pill has already surpassed three million prescriptions since launch, indicating strong early uptake. Earlier this month, oral Wegovy also received approval in the EU, setting the stage for additional sales growth in the coming quarters.
Beyond obesity, Novo Nordisk is strengthening its diabetes portfolio with oral semaglutide. In May, the FDA approved oral Ozempic for adults with T2D and to reduce cardiovascular risk. The drug was subsequently launched in the United States, likely contributing to second-quarter sales, which the investors will be keen to learn. The company also continues to generate meaningful revenues from Rybelsus, its oral semaglutide therapy for T2D.
However, Novo Nordisk's weak 2026 outlook, expecting a decline in adjusted sales and operating profit, signals limited near-term momentum for its GLP-1 franchise, suggesting that second-quarter sales growth for Wegovy and Ozempic is likely to remain under pressure amid intensifying competition from arch-rival Eli Lilly LLY. Pricing pressure in the United States, weaker prescription trends for injectable GLP-1 drugs, reduced Medicaid obesity coverage and intensifying competition continue to create significant operational and executional hurdles.
Beyond its GLP-1 franchise, Novo Nordisk's insulin and Rare Disease portfolios are likely to have provided additional support to overall revenues during the period.
NVO’s Peers in the Obesity Space
Eli Lilly is Novo Nordisk’s fierce competitor in the diabetes/obesity space, which markets its tirzepatide injections, Mounjaro (T2D) and Zepbound (obesity), competing directly with NVO’s Ozempic and Wegovy injections, respectively. Mounjaro and Zepbound have become LLY’s key top-line drivers. In the first quarter of 2026, the two drugs generated a combined $12.82 billion in sales, accounting for approximately 65% of Eli Lilly’s total revenues.
Eli Lilly also secured FDA approval and subsequently launched its oral GLP-1 pill, Foundayo (orforglipron), for obesity in early April, which now competes directly with Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill. Investors will be most keen on learning the initial commercial performance of Foundayo when Eli Lilly reports its second-quarter results on Aug. 5 as well.
The obesity space has garnered much of the spotlight over the past year due to the sizeable and still underpenetrated market opportunity. Smaller biotech firms, like Viking Therapeutics VKTX and Structure Therapeutics GPCR, are also advancing GLP-1–based therapies to challenge the incumbents. Viking Therapeutics’ dual GIPR/GLP-1 receptor agonist, VK2735, is being developed as both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of obesity. Viking Therapeutics plans to advance oral VK2735 into phase III development for obesity in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Structure Therapeutics’ phase II ACCESS study on its orally administered GLP-1 RA, aleniglipron, demonstrated significant weight loss across all doses. Structure Therapeutics expects to initiate the late-stage program of aleniglipron in obesity in the second half of 2026.
NVO’s Stock Price, Valuation & Estimates
Year to date, Novo Nordisk shares have gained 0.2% compared with the industry’s 13.1% growth. The company has also underperformed the sector and the S&P 500 during the same time frame, as seen in the chart below.
NVO Stock Underperforms the Industry, Sector & the S&P 500
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Novo Nordisk is trading at a discount to the industry, as seen in the chart below. Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company’s shares currently trade at 15.34 forward earnings, which is lower than 19.11 for the industry. The stock is trading much below its five-year mean of 29.25.
NVO Stock’s Valuation
Earnings estimates for 2026 have decreased from $3.46 to $3.39 per share over the past 60 days. During the same time frame, Novo Nordisk’s 2027 earnings estimates have deteriorated from $3.44 to $3.27 per share.
NVO’s Estimate Movement
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Novo Nordisk currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
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How Will Ozempic and Wegovy Sales Aid NVO's Upcoming Q2 Results?

Key Points
Amgen wants a slice of the weight loss drug market.
Its candidate for capturing that market share might not be up to the task.
Its competitors aren't waiting around for it to catch up, either.
Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) is betting that the convenience of its weight loss treatment will make it a winner, and it might be right. Its candidate MariTide is a monthly injection that aims to directly challenge the anti-obesity drugs made by Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO), which in their original formulations are administered by a weekly injection.
If the program's phase 3 clinical trial data look good, Amgen could enter the market and become a major player despite having no real presence now. So should Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk actually start to sweat?
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There may not be a real threat to the incumbents here
MariTide is an antibody-peptide conjugate, which in this case means that it's an antibody that blocks the receptor for glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and also carries two peptides that activate the receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
The conjugate's long half-life is what enables dosing only once a month, which could be a major convenience factor for patients, leading to higher market share than competing drugs. In the 592-participant phase 2 trial, adults with obesity and no type 2 diabetes lost 12.3% to 16.2% of their body weight at 52 weeks, against 2.5% on placebo.
The trouble is that those results don't exactly stack up against the competition.
Per one head-to-head trial comparing different molecules for weight loss, tirzepatide, which is the molecule in Eli Lilly's Zepbound, led to 20.2% weight loss, and semaglutide, which is Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, led to 13.7% weight loss after 72 weeks. MariTide has never been tested against either in a structured trial, but its phase 2 data do not suggest that it would dramatically outperform the leading medicines on the market right now.
Amgen's own language on this topic is instructive. The company's commercial chief, Murdo Gordon, told investors in April that it expects to be the best "monthly or less frequently dosed" agent in obesity.
Getting people to switch will be hard
Amgen will struggle to get patients to shift from their other weight loss therapies if it eventually succeeds in commercializing its candidate.
Amgen appears to share that doubt. In May it began an open-label phase 3 study of about 300 adults, moving off GLP-1 drugs and onto MariTide, with results due in 2028. Even if that trial produces some favorable data, it will probably be far too late to matter because by then both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk will likely have even newer and better therapies on the market or approaching commercialization.
Lilly's oral drug orforglipron, now branded Foundayo, was approved on April 1. Getting a once-monthly injection is probably a worse proposition in comparison to taking a daily pill, which many patients already do with other medicines anyway. Separately, Novo Nordisk has already filed for approval with its candidate CagriSema in December 2025.
Again, both of those companies, not to mention a few biotechs, have other weight loss candidates in the pipeline.
Amgen's next major weight loss catalyst is Maritime-1, its 3,501-patient obesity trial, which reaches primary completion on Jan. 21, 2027, with the type 2 diabetes study landing the same day.
Until then, Amgen only has a plausible convenience advantage, and it has no evidence in hand that it is beating any of the other players on efficacy or tolerability. Investors don't need to worry that they're at risk of missing the next hot stock on the basis of its published results so far. And, for their parts, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly don't need to fear Amgen much right now.
Should you buy stock in Amgen right now?
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Alex Carchidi has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amgen, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Watch Out, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk: Amgen's Monthly Weight Loss Drug Has 6 Phase 3 Trials Running -- and It's Coming for Your Patients

Key Points
Novo Nordisk remains a step behind Eli Lilly in the weight loss drug market.
Its most promising programs might not be competitive with Lilly's.
They're also very likely to enter the market too late relative to Lilly's entrants, assuming they get approved.
Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) fell by 29% over the last 12 months, and that's making investors antsy about the company's next three years. It's clear that it won't be able to coast on its earnings from sales of Ozempic.
Let's chart out Novo's path over the next three years to see where its stock will be, given that investors have been dumping it recently.
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Its next generation of weight loss programs is facing an awkward issue
Amylin is a pancreatic hormone that signals fullness through a different route than GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), the gut hormone mimicked by semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic. So, amylin could technically be used alongside semaglutide to suppress appetite and boost weight loss from two different directions. And that's the premise of Novo Nordisk's next generation of weight loss programs.
CagriSema, its candidate that's composed of a combination of cagrilintide (an amylin analog) and semaglutide, went to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2025, with the review expected to conclude this year. In the bull case for Novo's stock, CagriSema will get the green light from regulators and then, starting shortly after commercialization begins, it'll take enough market share to become the leading weight loss therapy.
The problem with the bull thesis coming to fruition is that the clinical data about the candidate make it hard to believe.
In an open-label phase 3 trial in 809 adults with obesity, CagriSema showed 23% weight loss at 84 weeks, meaning it lagged the 25.5% for tirzepatide, the already-approved Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) medicine sold as Zepbound. CagriSema's side effects were mostly mild to moderate gastrointestinal complaints, so the miss was about efficacy rather than tolerability. The main problem is that it's a newer program that can't obviously beat Lilly's older program on efficacy based on what's known right now.
Another program that could support the bull case is Novo's amycretin, which is one molecule that hits multiple receptors, in contrast to CagriSema's approach of combining multiple molecules to accomplish that goal. Amycretin's phase 3 obesity trial began dosing in February 2026 and should wrap up in late 2029.
So, by that deadline, it should be clear to the market whether Novo is going to be able to launch a highly competitive weight loss drug, and it'll also be clear whether the pharma's upcoming entrant was a success or not.
This business might stay a step behind the competition
The bear case for Novo Nordisk's stock will not need any catastrophes or major inversions of competitive positioning to play out.
For the most part, the bear case calls for retatrutide, Lilly's triple agonist that showed up to 28% weight loss and that's headed for a first-quarter 2027 approval filing, to erode Novo's market share for Wegovy even more than Zepbound already has. In a worst-case scenario, Novo's top line for 2029 could look very much like its top line in 2025. But that's unlikely to happen simply because once patients are on weight loss medicines, they tend to stay on a treatment that works rather than switching.
Thus, the base case is that by mid-2029, Novo's stock will be somewhat higher than today, thanks to a regular drumbeat of decent data from its clinical trials, and from building out its pipeline with ongoing investment in research and development (R&D).
But, at least for as long as Eli Lilly leads the weight loss market on absolute weight loss drug revenue, Novo Nordisk will be struggling a bit. That means it's a bit hard to see a strong argument for buying its stock.
Should you buy stock in Novo Nordisk right now?
Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Novo Nordisk wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $379,662!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,206,116!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 886% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
*Stock Advisor returns as of July 28, 2026.
Alex Carchidi has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Where Will Novo Nordisk Stock Be in 3 Years?

Key Points
Eli Lilly's ads don't account for a new, higher dose of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy.
Lilly has been winning the race to dominate the GLP-1 drug market.
GLP-1 drugs for weight loss are such a booming business that it was inevitable the major manufacturers of these wonder drugs would eventually end up in court.
This week, GLP-1 heavyweight Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) sued the leading GLP-1 drugmaker, Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY), claiming its television ads are deceptive because they state that Lilly's Zepbound is more effective for weight loss than Novo's Wegovy.
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
One such ad by Eli Lilly claims that "in a study," people using Zepbound lost an average of 50 pounds, while those using Wegovy lost an average of 33 pounds.
But that study is outdated, Novo Nordisk claims. A higher dose of Wegovy was approved in March and launched in April, according to the Danish drugmaker, and a more recent study shows that the new dose increased average weight loss to 47 pounds.
Novo Nordisk claims that Lilly's advertisements also make misleading comparisons in ads for its diabetes drug Mounjaro versus Novo Nordisk's drug Ozempic.
Novo Nordisk's lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction forcing Eli Lilly to pull the ads, as well as a corrective ad campaign. It's also been reported that Novo Nordisk will seek to recover profits it lost due to the advertising, though the amount is unspecified.
The damages to Lilly, if awarded, probably won't be huge
Considering that the ads Eli Lilly ran comparing the two drugs only became outdated in April, when Novo Nordisk brought its higher-dose Wegovy to market, any damages to Eli Lilly, if awarded, would probably be immaterial. However, if the New Jersey court where the suit is filed forces Eli Lilly to halt the ads, that could be a big win for Novo Nordisk.
Investors have clearly been favoring Lilly in the battle for GLP-1 market share. Shares of Eli Lilly are up about 50% over the past 52 weeks, while Novo Nordisk's share price has plummeted about 27%.
Tirzepatide, the GLP-1 drug behind both Mounjaro and Zepbound, became the world's best-selling drug in the third quarter of 2025, surpassing Keytruda, a blockbuster immunotherapy drug from pharmaceutical giant Merck.
But demand for GLP-1 drugs is enormous and growing rapidly. Theglobal marketfor obesity medicines reached $66 billion in 2025. Bloomberg predicts it will hit $120 billion by 2030. While Lilly has the larger share of that market, about 60% of the U.S. market as of February of this year, there will probably be plenty of opportunities for both companies to ratchet up global sales.
Should you buy stock in Novo Nordisk right now?
Before you buy stock in Novo Nordisk, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Novo Nordisk wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $371,519!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,281,302!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 892% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 206% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
Matthew Benjamin has positions in Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Eli Lilly, Merck, and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Why Is Novo Nordisk Suing Eli Lilly, and What Does it Mean for Investors?

Eli Lilly LLY announced positive top-line data from two late-stage studies evaluating its next-generation, experimental triple-acting incretin, retatrutide, in patients with obesity or those who are overweight as well as some of its most serious complications – type II diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.
The phase III TRIUMPH-2 study is under a basket design evaluating the safety and efficacy of once weekly retatrutide versus placebo in participants with type II diabetes and obesity or those who are overweight. Patients in the study were randomized in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive retatrutide (4 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg) or placebo over a period of 80 weeks.
Meanwhile, the phase III TRIUMPH-3 study is evaluating the safety and efficacy of once-weekly retatrutide versus placebo in participants with severe obesity and established cardiovascular disease. Patients in this study were randomized in a 1:1:2 ratio to receive retatrutide 9 mg, 12 mg, or placebo over a period of 80 weeks.
Year to date, Lilly’s shares have risen 10.7% compared with the industry’s 11.8% rally.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
LLY’s Retatrutide Scores Big in Latest Obesity Studies
Data from the TRIUMPH-2 study showed that treatment with all doses of retatrutide (4 mg, 9 mg, 12 mg) led to substantial weight loss and improved glycemic control at 80 weeks in adults with type II diabetes and obesity or overweight. Treatment with retatrutide 4 mg, 9 mg, and 12 mg led to an average weight loss of 29.8 lbs (12.7%), 45.4 lbs (19.1%), and 49.6 lbs (20.8%), respectively, in the given patient population, at 80 weeks.
Data from the TRIUMPH-3 study showed that treatment with retatrutide (9 mg, 12 mg) led to an average weight loss of up to 55.8 lbs (22.6%) at 80 weeks in patients with severe obesity and established cardiovascular disease.
Importantly, treatment with retatrutide meaningfully reduced certain cardiovascular risk factors, with the highest dose (12mg) delivering average reductions of 37% in triglycerides, 16.5% in non-HDL cholesterol, 9.3 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, 7.5 in (19.0 cm) in waist circumference, and 51.2% in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in the TRIUMPH-3 study.
LLY’s Previous Phase III Wins With Retatrutide
We remind investors that the success of the phase III TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3 obesity studies marks the fourth and fifth positive phase III data readout for Eli Lilly’s retatrutide.
In May 2026, Lilly announced that the phase III TRIUMPH-1 study, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of three doses (4 mg, 9 mg and 12 mg) of retatrutide for 80 weeks against placebo in adults with obesity or overweight, met its primary endpoint.
In March 2026, Eli Lilly reported that the late-stage TRANSCEND-T2D-1 study of once-weekly retatrutide in adults with T2D and inadequate glycemic control met its primary endpoint.
In late 2025, Eli Lilly reported meeting all primary and key secondary endpoints in the late-stage TRIUMPH-4 study, which evaluated the candidate in adults with obesity or overweight and knee osteoarthritis, without diabetes.
Retatrutide is being evaluated in several phase III studies for obesity and overweight with at least one weight-related medical problem, T2D, knee osteoarthritis pain, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic low back pain, cardiovascular and renal outcomes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.
Importantly, with the latest results from the TRIUMPH-2 and TRIUMPH-3 studies, Lilly now has the data package that will support global regulatory filings for retatrutide as a potential treatment for obesity, knee osteoarthritis pain and OSA.
The company plans to submit a biologics license application for retatrutide to the FDA in the first quarter of 2027. However, the timeline seems a little delayed from the prior expectation of filing retatrutide for obesity and knee osteoarthritis pain in 2026. If approved, retatrutide could become another multibillion-dollar product.
Retatrutide represents a new generation of “triple-action” therapy targeting three biological pathways — GLP-1, GIP and glucagon — potentially offering greater weight-loss and metabolic benefits than existing medicines, which mostly act on one or two biological pathways. LLY’s approved obesity drug Zepbound targets GLP-1 and GIP, while Novo Nordisk’s NVO blockbuster obesity drug Wegovy activates only GLP-1.
LLY’s Competition in the Obesity Space
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk presently dominate the obesity market.
Novo Nordisk gained approval for an oral version of its obesity drug, Wegovy, in December 2025 and launched the pill in January 2026. In early April 2026, Lilly gained FDA approval for its once-daily oral GLP-1 pill Foundayo (orforglipron) for treating obesity.
Smaller biotech firms, like Viking Therapeutics VKTX and Structure Therapeutics GPCR, are also advancing GLP-1–based therapies to challenge the incumbents. Viking Therapeutics’ dual GIPR/GLP-1 receptor agonist, VK2735, is being developed as both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of obesity. Viking Therapeutics plans to advance oral VK2735 into phase III development for obesity in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Structure Therapeutics’ phase II ACCESS study on its orally administered GLP-1 RA, aleniglipron, demonstrated significant weight loss across all doses. Structure Therapeutics expects to initiate the late-stage program of aleniglipron in obesity in the second half of 2026.
LLY’s Zacks Rank
Eli Lilly currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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LLY's Retatrutide Nears 2027 Filing With Two More Phase III Wins

Key Points
Eli Lilly has just begun tapping into the massive opportunity in chronic weight management.
Intuitive Surgical can bounce back thanks to innovation, a strong moat, and a large addressable market.
Some stocks look too attractive to pass up, given their incredibly strong businesses and excellent prospects. In my view, that's the case with Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) and Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), two healthcare companies. These stocks have delivered excellent returns over the past decade, but neither has peaked yet. Here is why Eli Lilly and Intuitive Surgical are outstanding stocks to buy.
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1. The weight loss leader
Obesity is considered an epidemic. It affects a significant percentage of the population, particularly in the U.S., where about 40% of adults are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity is linked to dozens of diseases and costs the U.S. healthcare system tens of billions of dollars every year. For all these reasons, the market for weight management medicines is growing rapidly, and Eli Lilly is currently the leader in this niche.
The company's approved portfolio features Zepbound, a subcutaneous anti-obesity drug, and Foundayo, an oral pill. Both are performing well and helping Eli Lilly grow its revenue much faster than its similarly sized peers in the pharmaceutical industry.
However, Eli Lilly will start facing more competition in this area over the next few years. Not to worry: The company is working hard on next-gen weight-loss therapies, some of which could be even better than its current ones.
Eli Lilly is looking to expand the market, as it did with Foundayo, which is attracting mostly brand-new patients. The company's newer, differentiated medicines might do the same. Eli Lilly's retatrutide, for instance, recently posted an average weight loss of up to 20.8% in patients with type 2 diabetes who were overweight or obese in an 80-week phase 3 study.
That's impressive considering people with diabetes have a harder time losing weight, but retatrutide could be highly effective at helping them do so, largely thanks to the fact that it works by activating three natural hormone pathways (compared to either one or two for most approved therapies) that help people eat less, burn more calories, and better control their blood sugar.
Retatrutide is just one example of Eli Lilly's deep pipeline in this area, which could help it ride the weight-loss tailwind over the next five years. And even beyond this market, Eli Lilly has a large pipeline in other areas, as well as other blockbusters in its approved portfolio. Eli Lilly has been one of the top-performing pharmaceutical giants in recent years, and should remain so. The stock is a no-brainer buy.
2. The sell-off is overdone
Intuitive Surgical has faced headwinds in recent years, including increased competition, tariffs, and lower margins on the newest version of its da Vinci surgical system. The company's shares have significantly underperformed the broader market, declining by 33% over the past 12 months. However, Intuitive Surgical's medium-term prospects remain strong, making the current dip a buying opportunity.
Here's why the business is still healthy. Intuitive Surgical's launch of the da Vinci 5 has been hugely successful and presents the company with attractive opportunities, despite its lower margins. This new device lets surgeons feel how much force they're using and runs on a far more powerful computer, advantages which, over time, could enable smarter software, artificial intelligence-assisted surgery, fewer mistakes, and better patient outcomes.
That means additional indications, eventually, and potentially, greater adoption of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS). So, the da Vinci 5's lower margins are worth it once we zoom out and focus on the company's long-term opportunities. It could also help Intuitive Surgical stay ahead of the new competition. The company's da Vinci system already has more than two decades of real-world outcomes to back it up, but it's important to continue innovating, which is what it did with the da Vinci 5.
Further, Intuitive Surgical benefits from a wide moat due to high switching costs, as its expensive devices, which also have a steep learning curve, become far too valuable for hospitals to replace with competitors' devices. That grants the company pricing power, which it might lean on to mitigate the impact of tariffs on its financial results. Intuitive Surgical's stock may remain volatile over the next year or so, but in five years, it could be far above its current levels. Patience will be rewarded.
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Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Eli Lilly, Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Intuitive Surgical, Merck, and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool recommends Johnson & Johnson and recommends the following options: long January 2028 $520 calls on Intuitive Surgical and short January 2028 $530 calls on Intuitive Surgical. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

2 Top Growth Stocks to Buy Right Now Without Any Hesitation

Key Points
Novo Nordisk has run into unexpected headwinds lately, but all these challenges (and then some) may already be reflected in the stock’s price.
PepsiCo stock’s recent poor performance reflects the company’s lackluster results, but the cause of this weakness isn’t permanent.
Accenture isn’t quite as threatened by the advent of artificial intelligence as its shares’ recent selloff suggests.
Not every cheap stock is necessarily one worth owning. If you can find the right high-quality, high-yield tickers that are only temporarily beaten down, however, cheap stocks are actually bargains just waiting to be bought.
Here's a rundown of three dirt cheap dividend payers most investors are simply overlooking. That spells opportunity for you.
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Novo Nordisk
It's not too difficult to figure out why Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO) shares are down so much from their 2024 peak. The GLP-1 weight-loss drug race that it helped start has since turned incredibly competitive, so much so that Novo's now losing market share to rival Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) (and others) within a business it largely built, forcing price cuts. Investors are also concerned about the limited expansion of Wegovy's label in this environment.
More recently, Novo's decision to file a lawsuit against Lilly (claiming that its top competitor's GLP-1 drug's advertising is misleading) may be valid, but it also suggests a certain degree of concerning desperation. Never even mind the fact that 2026 is now being seen as a "reset" year far sooner than a reset should have been necessary for the company.
However, with the stock now down more than 60% from its mid-2024 high and still within sight of a recently reached five-year low -- and priced at less than 12 times its trailing earnings -- the sellers have arguably overshot their target. They've priced in all of these problems, and then some, without factoring in the fact that Wegovy is still a powerful brand in all of its present and future forms.
That's not the crux of the reason to consider stepping into a position in NVO here and now, however. Rather, the top reason to take a closer look at the beaten-down name at this time is its dividend yield, which currently stands at a little over 3.6% on a forward-looking basis. At the very least, the cash flow supporting these dividend payments will remain intact while the company works through its reset and continues working on the 32 drug trials it's currently got underway, nine of which are now in phase 3.
PepsiCo
Novo Nordisk isn't the only attractive dividend name currently dancing with a new 52-week low. Snack food and beverage powerhouse PepsiCo's (NASDAQ: PEP) shares are in a similar situation. The stock's down 20% from its early February peak, dragging its forward-looking price-to-earnings ratio down to a multiyear low of less than 16, and pumping its forward-looking dividend yield up to 4.4%.
This weakness makes superficial sense. Organic revenue growth remains at a tepid 2.5% pace, bogged down by its North American food business. Cost and health concerns are both contributing factors to this headwind. Meanwhile, last quarter's core operating margin of 16.8% was down 40 basis points from the year-ago comparison, as the company is using price cuts to prop up demand however and whenever it can. Several analysts lowered their price targets on PEP following the release of its Q2 results as well. Investors are understandably nervous.
There's nothing PepsiCo is going through now that it hasn't been through and survived before. Although its stock doesn't necessarily recover very quickly from these sorts of setbacks (since the economic underpinnings are also slow-moving), it's now 20% below February's high and down more than 30% from its 2023 peak. This recent weakness is a great opportunity to step into a long-term position in a quality blue chip.
It's a quality blue chip, by the way, that's now raised its dividend for 54 consecutive years. That streak isn't likely to end anytime soon.
Accenture
Last but not least, add Ireland-based Accenture Plc (NYSE: ACN) to your list of cheap dividend stocks to buy if you've got $1,000 -- or any other amount -- you're looking to put to work generating income.
It's not a household name, although there's a good chance you or someone in your household benefits from its work. Accenture offers a number of specialized business services, ranging from cybersecurity to supply chain optimization to technology overhauls to risk management. It's serving markets like banks, travel, retail, healthcare, utilities, and more. The company did $69.7 billion in sales last fiscal year, up 7.4% year over year, and is likely to report comparable growth again for the fiscal year ending in August.
Unfortunately, this growth wasn't enough to stave off the 64% setback this stock has suffered since February of last year. You can probably guess why. Investors are fearful that artificial intelligence will eventually be able to replicate much of what this company brings to the table -- and perhaps it will.
As time marches on, however, institutions are learning that AI can't do everything, and too much of what it can do, it doesn't do particularly well. Companies still need plenty of actual people to make experienced judgment calls and apply good common sense that artificial intelligence platforms often just don't have. This is good news for Accenture, and by extension, for its shareholders. It's just not yet evident in the form of a rebound in the stock.
That doesn't mean you have time to wait if you're interested, though. Priced at only 10 times this year's expected per-share profit and with a forward-looking dividend yield of 4.6%, this ticker's apt to fall back into favor sooner rather than later.
Analysts think so, anyway. Their consensus price target of $175.41 is 25% above the stock's present price.
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James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Accenture Plc, Eli Lilly, and Novo Nordisk. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2028 $260 calls on Accenture Plc and short January 2028 $280 calls on Accenture Plc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

3 Absurdly Cheap Dividend Stocks to Buy With $1,000 Right Now

Swiss pharma giant Roche Holding AG RHHBY reported sales of CHF 30.4 billion ($38.6 billion) in the first half of 2026, down 2% year over year due to the significant appreciation of the Swiss franc.
Sales were up 6% at constant exchange rates (CER).
Core earnings per share totaled CHF 10.85 in the first half, up 9% (CER) from the year-ago period’s level.
The company reports under two divisions — Pharmaceuticals and Diagnostics. All growth rates mentioned below are on a year-over-year basis and at CER.
Sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division grew 6% in the first half to CHF 23.6 billion, driven by strong growth in demand for its key drugs — Xolair (allergic asthma, chronic hives, food allergies), Hemlibra (haemophilia A), Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis), Phesgo (breast cancer) and Vabysmo (severe eye diseases).
The Diagnostics division’s sales were up 3% to CHF 6.7 billion, driven by demand for immunodiagnostic and clinical chemistry products as well as pathology and molecular solutions.
Roche’s shares have risen 0.3% year to date compared with the industry’s growth of 10.5%.
The company posted second-quarter 2026 revenues of CHF 15.6 billion, up 5% at CER driven by growth in the pharmaceuticals division.
Roche’s shares have risen 0.3% year to date compared with the industry’s gain of 10.5%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
How RHHBY’s Top Drugs Performed in H1 2026
The top five growth drivers — Phesgo, Xolair, Hemlibra, Vabysmo and Ocrevus — generated total sales of CHF 11 billion, reflecting an increase of 12% at CER, or 5% in CHF, from the year-ago period’s figure.
The increase in the sales of these drugs offset the decline in sales of Avastin (various types of cancer), Herceptin (breast and gastric cancer), MabThera/Rituxan (blood cancer, rheumatoid arthritis), Lucentis (severe eye diseases) and Actemra/RoActemra (rheumatoid arthritis) due to loss of exclusivity.
MS Ocrevus generated sales of CHF 3.5 billion, up 7%. This growth can be attributed to strong demand for subcutaneous formulation.
Sales of hemophilia A drug Hemlibra surged 11% year over year to CHF 2.5 billion on continued global growth.
Vabysmo sales grew 8% to CHF 2 billion on continued global growth.
Immuno-oncology drug Tecentriq’s (for advanced lung cancer, urothelial cancer and breast cancer) sales were up 6% to CHF 1.7 billion, driven by growth in new indications.
Xolair sales surged 27% to CHF 1.7 billion. Sales were fueled by strong uptake in food allergy. However, a biosimilar launch is expected in the second half of 2026.
Perjeta’s sales were down 7% year over year to CHF 1.4 billion.
Breast cancer drug Phesgo’s (a fixed-dose combination of Perjeta and Herceptin for subcutaneous injection) sales surged 18% year over year to CHF 1.3 billion due to strong conversion rates.
Actemra/RoActemra’s (rheumatoid arthritis and COVID-19) sales declined 9% year over year to CHF 1 billion.
Evrysdi generated sales of CHF 968 million, up 17% driven by expanding strong position in SMA.
Breast cancer drug Kadcyla generated sales of CHF 916 million, down 6%.
Sales of Polivy surged 20% to CHF 808 million, driven by strong uptake in first line diffuse large B-Cell lymphoma indication.
Sales of the lung cancer drug Alecensa rose 6% to CHF 795 million.
Sales of Rituxan/MabThera were up 5% to CHF 609 million.
Activase/TNKase sales totaled CHF 555 million, up 11%.
Blood cancer drug Gazyva/Gazyvaro’s sales totaled CHF 489 million, up 7% year over year.
Herceptin sales were down 12% on a year-over-year basis to CHF 462 million due to biosimilar competition in various countries.
Sales of Avastin, approved for multiple oncology indications, were down 15% to CHF 414 million due to biosimilar competition.
RHHBY’s Guidance for 2026
Roche expects total sales to grow in the mid-single-digit range (at CER) in 2026. Core EPS is expected to grow in the high single-digit range (CER). Roche expects to further raise its dividend in Swiss francs.
RHHBY’s Pipeline Progress
The FDA accepted RHHBY’s new drug application for giredestrant in ER-positive early-stage breast cancer and granted Priority Review. The agency granted a target action date of Nov. 30, 2026.
The regulatory body also granted Priority Review to Roche’s application seeking approval for Gazyva/Gazyvaro for adults with primary membranous nephropathy.
Roche also obtained Priority Review from the FDA for Enspryng, the first and only at-home subcutaneous treatment option for thyroid eye disease.
Roche’s supplemental biologics license application seeking approval for Lunsumio and Polivy combination for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma has been accepted by the FDA.
The company reported positive results from the late-stage Krascendo 1 study evaluating experimental candidate, divarasib, in patients with previously treated KRAS G12C non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Divarasib is an investigational, next-generation, oral, KRAS G12C inhibitor.
This phase III, randomized, open-label, multicentre study is evaluating the efficacy and safety of divarasib monotherapy versus Lumakras (sotorasib) or Krazati (adagrasib) in patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutant advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
The study met its primary and key secondary endpoints, with divarasib demonstrating clinically meaningful and statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival and overall survival.
Our Take on RHHBY’s Performance
Roche’s performance in the first half was weighed down by unfavorable foreign-exchange movements.
Nonetheless, the company’s underlying operational performance remained solid. Strong growth from key products helped offset declining revenues from legacy drugs.
MS drug Ocrevus and ophthalmology drug Vabysmo continued their stellar performances. Growth in hemophilia treatment Hemlibra and breast cancer drug Phesgo also boosted RHHBY’s top line.
Roche has a strong and diversified pipeline spanning multiple therapeutic modalities. A tentative approval of breast cancer candidate giredestrant could serve as a meaningful catalyst for the stock.
Roche has also collaborated with Nurix Therapeutics NRIX to co-develop and co-commercialize bexobrutideg (NX-5948) across malignant hematology, immunology and neurology indications.
The deal expands Roche’s hematology pipeline while providing opportunities to advance the therapy across immunology and neurology indications.
Under the agreement, Nurix will receive $700 million upfront and could earn up to $2.3 billion in total through development, regulatory, and commercial milestone payments. Roche will fund 60% of development costs, with Nurix covering the remaining 40%.
The companies will jointly commercialize bexobrutideg in the United States, sharing profits and losses equally. Outside the United States, Roche will lead commercialization, while Nurix will receive tiered royalties ranging from the low- to high-teens.
While Roche is making efforts to further diversify its broad portfolio, the company remains a late entrant into the highly competitive obesity market, which is currently dominated by other large-cap pharma players, such as Eli Lilly LLY and Novo Nordisk NVO.
Roche’s obesity assets include enicepatide (CT-388) and petrelintide. The company presented new data from its obesity pipeline at the American Diabetes Association's 2026 Scientific Sessions, highlighting positive phase II results for enicepatide and petrelintide. The late-breaking data showed that enicepatide demonstrated strong efficacy and a favorable safety profile, supporting its potential as a best-in-class weight-loss therapy, while petrelintide delivered promising efficacy, safety and tolerability in the phase II ZUPREME-1 study.
Roche also announced plans to launch a phase II multi-arm study in the coming months to evaluate fixed-dose combinations of enicepatide and petrelintide as a differentiated treatment for overweight and obesity.
Eli Lilly currently leads the obesity market with its tirzepatide-based dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Arch rival Novo Nordisk commands a strong position with its semaglutide-based GLP-1 therapies, Ozempic and Wegovy, used in type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Both LLY and NVO generate a major chunk of their total revenues from their respective cardiometabolic drugs.
RHHBY’s Zacks Rank
Roche currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
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Roche H1 Sales Decline on Currency Headwinds, Key Drugs Keep Momentum

Novo Nordisk NVO has filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly LLY, accusing its rival of misleading high-profile U.S. advertising campaigns to promote its blockbuster injectable GLP-1 medicines, Zepbound and Mounjaro, over NVO’s injectable semaglutide medicines, Wegovy and Ozempic for obesity and type II diabetes (T2D), respectively.
The legal challenge comes at a pivotal time as the global obesity market has emerged as one of the pharmaceutical industry's most fiercely contested arenas. While the dispute centers on comparative advertising, it carries broader strategic significance, highlighting the intensifying battle between the two GLP-1 leaders, where physician and patient perceptions can be as critical as clinical efficacy in shaping prescribing decisions and market share.
NVO Challenges LLY’s Comparative GLP-1 Advertising Claims
Earlier this week, Novo Nordisk filed a lawsuit against Eli Lilly in a U.S. federal court, alleging that the company's nationwide direct-to-consumer advertising campaigns for Zepbound and Mounjaro are misleading because they rely on outdated clinical comparisons while omitting newer evidence supporting higher-dose Wegovy.
The dispute centers on Lilly's advertisements highlighting results from the SURMOUNT-5 head-to-head study, where Zepbound achieved an average weight loss of 20.2% compared with 13.7% for Wegovy after 72 weeks. Those findings compared Zepbound's highest doses with Wegovy's then-approved maximum dose of 2.4 mg and were scientifically valid when generated.
Year to date, Novo Nordisk shares have lost 2.9% against the industry’s 8.9% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, the competitive landscape changed in March 2026 when the FDA approved Wegovy 7.2 mg, a higher-dose formulation that demonstrated approximately 19% (~47 pounds) average weight loss in the STEP UP study. Novo Nordisk argues that Lilly's continued use of earlier comparisons creates the misleading impression that Zepbound is categorically more effective, despite the availability of a newer FDA-approved dose that substantially narrows the efficacy gap.
NVO also alleges that Lilly's Mounjaro advertisements compare the drug's highest approved 15 mg dose with only the 1 mg maintenance dose of Ozempic, while omitting the FDA-approved 2 mg dose, which has been available for more than four years and offers greater efficacy. The lawsuit follows LLY’s refusal to withdraw or substantially revise the advertisements despite receiving a formal cease-and-desist notice from Novo Nordisk. The company is seeking a permanent injunction requiring LLY to withdraw the advertisements and launch corrective marketing.
A Fight Over Perception Could be Just as Important as Efficacy
Novo Nordisk’s lawsuit appears to be less about challenging the original SURMOUNT-5 data than about redefining the narrative in an increasingly competitive obesity market. Lilly has built considerable commercial momentum by positioning Zepbound as the most effective weight-loss therapy available, a perception reinforced through broad consumer advertising.
If the court ultimately prevents Lilly from continuing to make superiority claims based on comparisons that exclude Wegovy's latest approved dose, Novo Nordisk could gain an important strategic advantage. While the efficacy gap may not disappear entirely, restricting these advertisements could weaken one of LLY’s strongest commercial messages and help NVO reshape physician and patient perceptions around Wegovy's competitiveness.
Even so, investors should recognize that any legal victory would likely offer only a partial competitive benefit. Lilly possesses enormous marketing resources and would almost certainly redesign its advertising strategy to comply with any court ruling while continuing to emphasize other differentiating features of its portfolio. The broader competition will still be determined by clinical outcomes, product launches, pricing, reimbursement and manufacturing capacity rather than advertising alone.
Novo Nordisk A/S Price and Consensus
NVO Signals It Is Ready to Defend Its GLP-1 Franchise
Novo Nordisk has indicated that it intends to seek a preliminary injunction in the coming days if Eli Lilly does not voluntarily withdraw the advertisements. That move underscores the urgency with which the company views protecting Wegovy's market position as competition intensifies.
The lawsuit highlights that Novo Nordisk is prepared to defend its obesity franchise not only through product innovation but also through legal and commercial channels. While the outcome is unlikely to alter the long-term competitive dynamics by itself, a favorable ruling could help narrow the perception gap that has increasingly favored Zepbound, as both companies continue battling for leadership in one of healthcare's fastest-growing markets.
NVO Faces Rising Competitive Pressure Beyond LLY in GLP-1s
The immense market opportunity in obesity treatments is also attracting smaller biotech firms, like Viking Therapeutics VKTX and Structure Therapeutics GPCR, which are advancing their GLP-1–based therapies to challenge the incumbents. Viking Therapeutics’ dual GIPR/GLP-1 receptor agonist, VK2735, is being developed as both oral and subcutaneous formulations for the treatment of obesity. Viking Therapeutics plans to advance oral VK2735 into phase III development for obesity in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Structure Therapeutics’ phase II ACCESS study on its orally administered GLP-1 RA, aleniglipron, demonstrated significant weight loss across all doses. Structure Therapeutics expects to initiate the late-stage program of aleniglipron in obesity in the second half of 2026.
NVO’s Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider
Novo Nordisk currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Beyond Nvidia: AI's Second Wave Is Here
The AI revolution has already minted millionaires. But the stocks everyone knows about aren't likely to keep delivering the biggest profits. AI’s second wave is moving from infrastructure to implementation and these companies are at the forefront of this transition, positioned to become what Amazon and Google were to the internet era.
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Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.