ASND vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASND and MRK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
ASND trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, MRK is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Ascendis Pharma A/S | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | Denmark | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 11.77 billion USD | 213.09 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 28, 2015 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASND and MRK by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.18% | 0.45% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 18.94% | 9.60% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 22.73% | -0.34% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 36.57% | -26.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 9.72% | 9.20% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 38.28% | -14.24% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.48M | 10.62M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.49M | 14.57M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.07% | 24.50% |
| Beta | 0.40 | 0.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ASND
-257.14%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
ASND has a negative Return on Equity of -257.14%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
MRK
34.88%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s Return on Equity of 34.88% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ASND
-55.25%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
ASND has a negative Net Profit Margin of -55.25%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
MRK
25.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.79% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ASND
-51.66%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
ASND has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -51.66%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
MRK
30.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.00% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -257.14% | 34.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -24.52% | 14.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -55.25% | 25.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -51.66% | 30.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 84.88% | 78.32% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ASND
1.02
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
ASND’s Current Ratio of 1.02 falls into the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
MRK
1.42
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.42 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ASND
7.81
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 7.81, ASND operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Biotechnology industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
MRK
0.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ASND
-4.54
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
ASND has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.54. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
MRK
19.65
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
MRK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 19.65 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.02 | 1.42 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.66 | 1.17 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 7.81 | 0.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -4.54 | 19.65 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
MRK
3.77%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ASND
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASND has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
MRK
48.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.95% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 48.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ASND
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for ASND is currently unavailable.
MRK
12.97
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 12.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ASND
20.60
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
ASND’s P/S Ratio of 20.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
MRK
3.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 aligns with the market consensus for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ASND
67.75
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
At 67.75, ASND’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Biotechnology industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
MRK
4.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 is within the conventional range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ASND | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 12.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 20.60 | 3.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 67.75 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | -- | 14.46 |