Novo Nordisk's Stock Surges 2.56% on $1.76 Billion Volume Jump, Ranking 30th Amid New FDA Approval and Ozempic Price Cut

On August 18, 2025, Novo Nordisk (NVO) saw its stock rise 2.56% with a trading volume of $1.76 billion, a 90.64% surge from the prior day, ranking 30th in market activity. This performance followed key developments in the company’s obesity and diabetes drug portfolios.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Wegovy, Novo’s semaglutide-based obesity drug, for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This expansion of Wegovy’s indication adds a new revenue stream and broadens patient access, as Medicare previously limited Wegovy reimbursement to weight loss linked to cardiovascular risk reduction. Analysts noted the approval could drive greater disease awareness and diagnosis rates, leveraging Novo’s extensive reach beyond specialists to primary care settings.

Simultaneously, Novo slashed the cash price of Ozempic, its flagship diabetes drug, to $499 per month from $997, targeting uninsured patients. The move aligns with competitive pressures and safety concerns over compounded alternatives, aiming to strengthen market share while addressing affordability. The price cut follows a 24% decline in NVO shares since July 28, driven by intensified competition and revised sales forecasts.

A strategy of purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding them for one day from 2022 to 2025 yielded a 31.52% total return, with an average 0.98% daily gain. This reflects short-term momentum capture but underscores market volatility and timing risks inherent in such approaches.