ASX investor or not, chances are you might have heard of the 'wonderdrug' Ozempic. Hailed for its benefits for patients with diabetes, Ozempic's potential applications also extend to obesity treatment and weight loss.
As such, this drug's potential benefits have already had a big impact on the ASX, with companies that potentially compete with its applications, such as ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) and CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), recently being sold off.
As such, many ASX investors might be hoping to invest in Ozempic. Or more specifically, in Novo Nordisk A/S (CPH: NOVO-B)(NYSE: NVO) shares. Novo Nordisk is the pharmaceutical company that produces Ozempic.
But there's a problem for ASX investors. Novo Nordisk shares are nowhere to be found on the ASX.
The company is Danish in origin. So it will come as no surprise to hear that Novo Nordisk's primary public listing is on the Nasdaq Copenhagen Stock Exchange. Most ASX investors don't even have access to this stock market, with only a handful of select brokerage firms offering access.
However, Novo Nordisk does have a secondary listing on the US markets. Specifically on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). So ASX investors with the desire and access to invest in US shares can buy Novo Nordisk stock under the ticker code 'NYSE: NVO' if they so wish.
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Want to buy this popular US stock? Try an ASX healthcare ETF
But there is another way to invest in this exciting opportunity on the ASX. It's by using exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Now since Novo Nordisk shares can be found on the NYSE, one would be forgiven for assuming that a simple US index fund might do the job.
But sadly, Novo Nordisk shares aren't a constituent of either the iShares S&P 500 ETF (ASX: IVV) or the BetaShares NASDAQ 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ). Those are two of the most popular US index funds listed on the ASX, but neither holds this company.
But don't despair. There are still ASX ETFs that will allow one to indirectly invest in the Ozempic producer. ASX healthcare ETFs, to be precise.
As we covered back in September, the VanEck Global Healthcare Leaders ETF (ASX: HLTH) is one such fund. Holding 51 healthcare stocks from around the world, this ETF is designed to allow ASX investors access to a range of healthcare companies that aren't listed in Australia. As of 1 November, Novo Nordisk was one such company, commanding a portfolio weighting in HLTH's portfolio of 2.17%.
The BetaShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: DRUG) is another similar fund with 69 underlying holdings. However, Novo Nordisk's holdings within DRUG are more than double that of HLTH, with a weighting here of 5.7%.
Finally, let's talk about the iShares Global Healthcare ETF (ASX: IXJ). This fund operates on a larger scale than those other two healthcare ETFs, with approximately 115 holdings. Despite this, IXJ still offers ASX investors a 4.78% weighted exposure to the Ozempic maker's shares in the portfolio.
So if you're desperate to invest in Ozempic through its maker Novo Nordisk, there are certainly a few options on the ASX to consider today. Even if you don't wish to buy the US or Danish-listed shares directly.
