ICON PLC (ICLR)vsNovartis AG ADR (NVS)
ICLR
ICON PLC
$112.85
-4.63%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $9.03B
NVS
Novartis AG ADR
$146.57
-0.87%
HEALTHCARE · Cap: $282.11B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Novartis AG ADR generates 598% more annual revenue ($56.58B vs $8.10B). NVS leads profitability with a 23.9% profit margin vs 7.4%. NVS appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.48. NVS earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 51/100 (C-).
ICLR
Buy50
out of 100
Grade: C-
NVS
Buy51
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+68.1%
Fair Value
$417.48
Current Price
$112.85
$304.63 discount
Margin of Safety
-52.5%
Fair Value
$109.60
Current Price
$146.57
$36.97 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Mega-cap, among the largest globally
Every $100 of equity generates 35 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 30.5%
Keeps 24 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Generating 2.9B in free cash flow
Areas to Watch
0.6% revenue growth
Distress zone — elevated risk
ROE of 6.3% — below average capital efficiency
7.4% margin — thin
Expensive relative to growth rate
Grey zone — moderate risk
Revenue declined 0.7%
Earnings declined 9.3%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ICLR
The strongest argument for ICLR centers on Price/Book, P/E Ratio.
Bull Case : NVS
The strongest argument for NVS centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 23.9% and operating margin at 30.5%.
Bear Case : ICLR
The primary concerns for ICLR are Revenue Growth, Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : NVS
The primary concerns for NVS are PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Revenue Growth.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
ICLR profiles as a value stock while NVS is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.
ICLR carries more volatility with a beta of 1.28 — expect wider price swings.
ICLR is growing revenue faster at 0.6% — sustainability is the question.
NVS generates stronger free cash flow (2.9B), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
NVS scores higher overall (51/100 vs 50/100), backed by strong 23.9% margins. ICLR offers better value entry with a 68.1% margin of safety. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
ICON PLC
HEALTHCARE · DIAGNOSTICS & RESEARCH · USA
ICON Public Limited Company, a clinical research organization, provides outsourced marketing and development services in Ireland, the rest of Europe, the United States and internationally. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland.
Novartis AG ADR
HEALTHCARE · DRUG MANUFACTURERS - GENERAL · USA
Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures and markets medical devices worldwide. The company is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland.
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