Novo Nordisk (NVO) Stock Rallies as Wegovy Weight Loss Pill Launches in United States

TLDR

• Novo Nordisk stock climbed 5.4% Monday to $55.21 on volume 42% above average as Wegovy pill launched.
• The pill represents the first oral GLP-1 for obesity in the U.S., priced at $149 monthly for self-pay patients.
• Competitor Eli Lilly stock fell 3.6% after hours as investors anticipated market share shifts.
• Distribution began through CVS, Costco, and telehealth partners with additional doses arriving this week.
• Analyst consensus remains Hold with $53.33 average target, below Monday’s closing price.

Novo Nordisk stock jumped 5.4% Monday as the company launched its oral Wegovy pill across U.S. pharmacies. Shares closed at $55.21, up from $52.39 Friday.

Novo Nordisk A/S, NVO

The stock touched $55.42 during trading. Volume hit 29.6 million shares, running 42% above the average 20.8 million daily shares.

The rally followed Novo Nordisk’s U.S. rollout of the first oral GLP-1 medication for weight loss. The daily pill format competes against weekly injections that currently dominate the obesity drug market.

Cash-paying patients can buy the starter dose for $149 per month. Higher doses cost up to $299 monthly. The 4-mg dose will increase to $199 starting April 15.

Novo Nordisk is distributing through CVS and Costco pharmacies plus telehealth providers. More doses will arrive at retail locations by week’s end.

Competitor Stocks Drop on News

The launch pressured rival stocks. Eli Lilly shares fell 3.6% in after-hours trading to $1,041.51. Viking Therapeutics also weakened as investors bet on market share losses.

GLP-1 drugs target hormones controlling appetite and blood sugar. The category grew rapidly as obesity treatments gained acceptance.

Eli Lilly expects FDA approval for its obesity pill in March. The company capped repeat cash pricing at $399 for higher doses. Both Novo Nordisk and Lilly offered $149 starter doses through a White House agreement.

GoodRx CEO Wendy Barnes emphasized “transparent cash pricing” as Wegovy pill access expands, highlighting increasing price competition in weight-loss medications.

Analyst Ratings Mixed on Novo Nordisk Stock

Wall Street remains divided on Novo Nordisk stock. Rothschild & Co Redburn upgraded to buy in September. Sanford C. Bernstein moved from market perform to outperform the same month.

Goldman Sachs cut its target from $60 to $54 in November while maintaining a buy rating. Jefferies initiated coverage in October with an underperform rating.

The consensus stands at Hold with a $53.33 average price target, below Monday’s close. Coverage includes one strong buy, six buys, eleven holds, and four sells.

U.K. regulators are reviewing Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill application with a potential decision by year-end.

Novo Nordisk reported Q3 earnings of $1.02 per share in November, beating the $0.77 estimate. Revenue reached $11.79 billion versus expectations of $11.98 billion. The company’s U.S. public affairs head recently departed during the launch period.