ABT vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
UpdatedHere’s a clear look at ABT and MRK, comparing key factors like performance, valuation metrics, dividends, and financial strength. It’s built for investors or anyone curious to see how these two stocks match up.
Company Overview
With ABT at 231.49 billion USD and MRK at 193.30 billion USD, their market capitalizations sit in the same ballpark.
ABT’s beta of 0.74 points to much larger expected swings compared to MRK’s calmer 0.44, suggesting both higher upside and downside potential.
| Symbol | ABT | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Abbott Laboratories | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Medical - Devices | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| CEO | Mr. Robert B. Ford | Mr. Robert M. Davis J.D. |
| Price | 133.05 USD | 76.98 USD |
| Market Cap | 231.49 billion USD | 193.30 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.74 | 0.44 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | January 13, 1978 |
| ADR | No | No |
Performance Comparison
This chart compares the performance of ABT and MRK over the past year by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each (starting one year ago).
Hover over the lines to see the investment’s value and total return (%) at specific dates.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Valuation Metrics Comparison
For a detailed comparison of valuation metrics between ABT and MRK, please refer to the table below.
| Symbol | ABT | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 17.22 | 11.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 1.73 | 4.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.47 | 3.02 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.48 | 4.03 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 34.77 | 11.34 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 22.97 | 8.04 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.63 | 3.43 |
| EV-to-Free Cash Flow (TTM) | 35.78 | 12.88 |
Dividend Comparison
MRK stands out with a 4.10% dividend yield—around 140% above ABT’s 1.71%—highlighting its emphasis on generous payouts.
| Symbol | ABT | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.71% | 4.10% |
Financial Strength Metrics Comparison
This section dives into the financial resilience of ABT and MRK, spotlighting key metrics like liquidity, leverage, and debt coverage. Check out the standout observations below where notable differences or extremes pop up.
- ABT meets its interest obligations (ratio 15.39). In stark contrast, MRK’s negative ratio (-75.48) means its operating earnings (EBIT) don't cover basic operations, let alone interest, signaling serious financial trouble.
| Symbol | ABT | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.78 | 1.41 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.27 | 1.16 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.14 | 0.72 |
| Debt-to-Assets Ratio (TTM) | 0.16 | 0.30 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 15.39 | -75.48 |