NVS vs GSK: which was the better investment?
Novartis AG against GSK plc on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Nov 7, 1996 to Jul 16, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did NVS beat GSK?
Yes — measured from Nov 7, 1996 to Jul 16, 2026 with dividends reinvested, NVS came out ahead: $130,091 versus $59,554 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 9.0% annual return against 6.2%.
What would $10,000 in NVS be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Novartis AG (NVS) on Nov 7, 1996 would be worth about $130,091 as of Jul 16, 2026, a total return of 1200.9% (9.0% per year). The same $10,000 in GSK would be worth $59,554.
Which was riskier — NVS or GSK?
NVS swung with an annualized volatility of 21.3% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -42.7%; GSK ran at 24.5% volatility with a -51.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.33 for NVS vs 0.17 for GSK.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Nov 7, 1996 through Jul 16, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with NVS vs GSK. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.