Tearsheet

Investment Highlights Why It Matters Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?

1. Generates cash flow

The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.

2. Riding a trend

Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow


0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 24%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 20%
Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -28%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -132%
Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -17%
1 Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -36%
Meaningful short interest
Short Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 10.47
Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -37%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -38%
2 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 39%
  Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 62%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Biotechnology & Genomics, Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Vaccine Development, Show more.
  Significant short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 31%
0 Attractive yield
Total YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 24%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 20%
1 Cash is significant % of market cap
Net D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -36%
2 Attractive operating margins
Op Mgn LTMOperating Margin = Operating Income / Revenue Reflects profitability before taxes and before impact of capital structure (interest payments). is 39%
3 Megatrend and thematic drivers
Megatrends include Biotechnology & Genomics, Precision Medicine, and Aging Population & Chronic Disease. Themes include Vaccine Development, Show more.
4 Weak multi-year price returns
2Y Excs Rtn is -28%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -132%
5 Meaningful short interest
Short Interest Days-to-CoverDTC = (Short Interest Share Quantity) / (Average Daily Trading Volume). Reflects how many days it would take to cover (close out) the short interest based on average volumes. High DTC can signify an increased risk of a short squeeze. is 10.47
6 Weak revenue growth
Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -17%
7 Not cash flow generative
CFO/Rev LTMCash Flow from Operations / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -37%, FCF/Rev LTMFree Cash Flow / Revenue (Sales), Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -38%
8 Valuation getting more expensive
P/S 6M Chg %Price/Sales change over 6 months. Declining P/S indicates valuation has become less expensive. is 62%
9 Significant short interest
Short Interest % of Basic SharesShort Interest % of Basic Shares = (Short Interest Quantity) / (Basic Shares Outstanding). A high fraction of short interest can indicate potential risk of a short squeeze. is 31%

Valuation, Metrics & Events

NVAX Stock


Why The Stock Moved


Qualitative Assessment

AI Generated Analysis | Feedback

1. Novavax reported a larger-than-expected net loss for the third quarter of 2025. The company posted a net loss of $202 million, or $1.25 per share, which was substantially higher than the forecasted loss of $0.54 per share.

2. The FDA announced plans for stricter vaccine rules, impacting vaccine stocks. On December 2, 2025, shares of Novavax and other vaccine makers declined after the FDA indicated it would impose new, stricter vaccine requirements, with NVAX specifically dropping 5% on this news.

Show more

Stock Movement Drivers

Return vs. Risk


Price Returns Compared

 202020212022202320242025Total [1]
Returns
NVAX Return2702%28%-93%-53%67%-18%66%
Peers Return86%47%7%-7%-10%8%165%
S&P 500 Return16%27%-19%24%23%16%112%

Monthly Win Rates [3]
NVAX Win Rate58%50%25%33%33%60% 
Peers Win Rate55%55%50%40%48%58% 
S&P 500 Win Rate58%75%42%67%75%70% 

Max Drawdowns [4]
NVAX Max Drawdown-1%0%-94%-53%-22%-32% 
Peers Max Drawdown-16%-9%-21%-28%-21%-15% 
S&P 500 Max Drawdown-31%-1%-25%-1%-2%-15% 


[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: AMGN, GILD, PFE, VRTX, MRNA. See NVAX Returns vs. Peers.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)

How Low Can It Go

Unique KeyEventNVAXS&P 500
2022 Inflation Shock2022 Inflation Shock  
2022 Inflation Shock% Loss% Loss-98.5%-25.4%
2022 Inflation Shock% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven6565.2%34.1%
2022 Inflation ShockTime to BreakevenTime to BreakevenNot Fully Recovered days464 days
2020 Covid Pandemic2020 Covid Pandemic  
2020 Covid Pandemic% Loss% Loss-56.8%-33.9%
2020 Covid Pandemic% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven131.5%51.3%
2020 Covid PandemicTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven21 days148 days
2018 Correction2018 Correction  
2018 Correction% Loss% Loss-92.6%-19.8%
2018 Correction% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven1244.2%24.7%
2018 CorrectionTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven180 days120 days
2008 Global Financial Crisis2008 Global Financial Crisis  
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Loss% Loss-86.4%-56.8%
2008 Global Financial Crisis% Gain to Breakeven% Gain to Breakeven637.5%131.3%
2008 Global Financial CrisisTime to BreakevenTime to Breakeven144 days1480 days

Compare to AMGN, GILD, PFE, VRTX, MRNA


In The Past

Novavax's stock fell -98.5% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 2/8/2021. A -98.5% loss requires a 6565.2% gain to breakeven.

Preserve Wealth

Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.

Asset Allocation

Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.

About Novavax (NVAX)

Better Bets than Novavax (NVAX)

Latest Trefis Analyses

Trade Ideas

Select past ideas related to NVAX. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.

Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
4.1%4.1%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-9.8%-9.8%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.0%6.0%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
9.7%9.7%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
6.2%6.2%-5.1%
Unique KeyDateTickerCompanyCategoryTrade Strategy6M Fwd Rtn12M Fwd Rtn12M Max DD
CRL_11142025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11142025CRLCharles River Laboratories InternationalDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
4.1%4.1%-3.7%
GDRX_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_CFO_Margins_ExInd_DE11142025GDRXGoodRxDip BuyDB | CFO/Rev | Low D/EDip Buy with High Cash Flow Margins
Buying dips for companies with significant cash flows from operations and reasonable debt / market cap
-9.8%-9.8%-11.8%
ASTH_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025ASTHAstrana HealthDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
6.0%6.0%-5.5%
SGRY_11142025_Dip_Buyer_High_FCF_Yield_ExInd_DE_RevG11142025SGRYSurgery PartnersDip BuyDB | FCF Yield | Low D/EDip Buy with High Free Cash Flow Yield
Buying dips for companies with significant free cash flow yield (FCF / Market Cap) and reasonable debt / market cap
9.7%9.7%-1.4%
TFX_11072025_Dip_Buyer_FCFYield11072025TFXTeleflexDip BuyDB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High Margin
Buying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin
6.2%6.2%-5.1%

Recent Active Movers

Recent Active Movers

More From Trefis

Peer Comparisons for Novavax

Peers to compare with:

Financials

NVAXAMGNGILDPFEVRTXMRNAMedian
NameNovavax Amgen Gilead S.Pfizer Vertex P.Moderna  
Mkt Price6.84345.42125.0025.57463.1325.1875.28
Mkt Cap1.1185.8155.4145.4118.49.8131.9
Rev LTM1,02435,97129,08662,78611,7232,20220,405
Op Inc LTM4058,67111,15115,417-92-3,4634,538
FCF LTM-38511,5399,16210,3763,337-2,6636,250
FCF 3Y Avg-4089,0678,8158,9272,064-3,0925,439
CFO LTM-37813,1269,66713,0773,718-1,9786,692
CFO 3Y Avg-37510,3229,36412,1272,419-2,4215,892

Growth & Margins

NVAXAMGNGILDPFEVRTXMRNAMedian
NameNovavax Amgen Gilead S.Pfizer Vertex P.Moderna  
Rev Chg LTM20.9%10.6%2.8%3.9%10.3%-56.4%7.1%
Rev Chg 3Y Avg14.1%11.2%2.3%-13.2%10.5%-52.3%6.4%
Rev Chg Q-16.6%12.4%3.0%-5.9%11.0%-46.0%-1.5%
QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM-1.4%3.0%0.8%-1.6%2.7%-27.9%-0.3%
Op Mgn LTM39.5%24.1%38.3%24.6%-0.8%-157.3%24.3%
Op Mgn 3Y Avg-27.4%25.4%39.2%19.4%26.2%-79.9%22.4%
QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM5.6%0.6%0.9%-1.4%1.0%-50.1%0.8%
CFO/Rev LTM-36.9%36.5%33.2%20.8%31.7%-89.8%26.3%
CFO/Rev 3Y Avg-45.9%32.7%33.1%18.9%23.1%-58.7%21.0%
FCF/Rev LTM-37.6%32.1%31.5%16.5%28.5%-120.9%22.5%
FCF/Rev 3Y Avg-50.2%28.8%31.2%13.9%19.8%-76.1%16.9%

Valuation

NVAXAMGNGILDPFEVRTXMRNAMedian
NameNovavax Amgen Gilead S.Pfizer Vertex P.Moderna  
Mkt Cap1.1185.8155.4145.4118.49.8131.9
P/S1.44.24.72.38.54.64.4
P/EBIT3.813.712.712.222.4-3.212.4
P/E4.121.717.014.727.2-3.215.9
P/CFO-3.711.614.311.126.9-5.111.3
Total Yield24.3%7.9%8.8%13.5%3.7%-30.9%8.4%
Dividend Yield0.0%3.3%2.9%6.7%0.0%0.0%1.4%
FCF Yield 3Y Avg-43.3%5.9%8.0%5.5%2.3%-16.2%3.9%
D/E0.20.40.20.40.00.10.2
Net D/E-0.40.30.10.3-0.0-0.40.0

Returns

NVAXAMGNGILDPFEVRTXMRNAMedian
NameNovavax Amgen Gilead S.Pfizer Vertex P.Moderna  
1M Rtn-13.5%17.4%2.4%3.7%8.7%1.1%3.1%
3M Rtn-7.6%22.6%11.4%5.0%16.8%4.7%8.2%
6M Rtn-4.3%22.2%16.3%13.2%3.9%-7.7%8.5%
12M Rtn-18.7%28.1%39.2%7.3%1.3%-40.9%4.3%
3Y Rtn-58.6%33.2%56.3%-40.3%44.1%-86.2%-3.5%
1M Excs Rtn-13.5%17.4%2.4%3.7%8.7%1.1%3.1%
3M Excs Rtn-17.5%18.9%6.3%0.7%11.3%-1.6%3.5%
6M Excs Rtn-19.1%7.5%1.6%-1.6%-10.8%-22.4%-6.2%
12M Excs Rtn-35.1%12.5%25.5%-8.9%-14.6%-55.1%-11.8%
3Y Excs Rtn-131.7%-38.3%-9.5%-111.4%-25.9%-158.4%-74.9%

Financials

Segment Financials

Revenue by Segment

$ Mil20242023202220212020
In-house early-stage research and development (R&D)984    
Grants 383949453 
Licensing, royalties, and other 4419822 
Product sales 1,555   
Government Contract    8
Grant and other    11
Total9841,9821,14647619


Price Behavior

Short Interest

Short Interest: As Of Date11142025
Short Interest: Shares Quantity50,682,588
Short Interest: % Change Since 103120254.9%
Average Daily Volume4,838,850
Days-to-Cover Short Interest10.47
Basic Shares Quantity162,353,000
Short % of Basic Shares31.2%

SEC Filings

Expand for More

Report DateFiling DateFiling
93020251106202510-Q 9/30/2025
6302025806202510-Q 6/30/2025
3312025508202510-Q 3/31/2025
12312024227202510-K 12/31/2024
93020241112202410-Q 9/30/2024
6302024808202410-Q 6/30/2024
3312024510202410-Q 3/31/2024
12312023228202410-K 12/31/2023
93020231109202310-Q 9/30/2023
6302023808202310-Q 6/30/2023
3312023509202310-Q 3/31/2023
12312022228202310-K 12/31/2022
93020221109202210-Q 9/30/2022
6302022809202210-Q 6/30/2022
3312022510202210-Q 3/31/2022
12312021301202210-K 12/31/2021