AZN vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at AZN and MRK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | United Kingdom | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 315.47 billion USD | 298.84 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
AZN 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.
AZN's market capitalization stands at 315.47 billion USD, while MRK's is 298.84 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
AZN 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.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AZN 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 | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 7.09% | 1.04% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 12.68% | 13.96% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 36.97% | 53.86% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 52.31% | 39.57% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 4.26% | 0.48% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 11.07% | 14.83% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.68M | 11.25M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.31M | 12.80M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 27.28% | 22.98% |
| Beta | 1.07 | 0.30 |
AZN's beta of 1.07 points to significantly higher volatility compared to MRK (beta: 0.30), suggesting AZN has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AZN
22.68%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 20.27%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 5.11%
- Min
- -14.55%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, AZN's Return on Equity of 22.68% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MRK
36.19%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 20.27%
- Median
- 12.91%
- Q1
- 5.11%
- Min
- -14.55%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK's Return on Equity of 36.19% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AZN
17.41%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.87%
- Q3
- 22.21%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 9.09%
- Min
- -8.35%
AZN's Net Profit Margin of 17.41% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
MRK
28.08%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.87%
- Q3
- 22.21%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 9.09%
- Min
- -8.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.08% 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)
AZN
23.40%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 43.61%
- Q3
- 25.68%
- Median
- 18.69%
- Q1
- 12.76%
- Min
- -4.35%
AZN's Operating Profit Margin of 23.40% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MRK
32.64%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 43.61%
- Q3
- 25.68%
- Median
- 18.69%
- Q1
- 12.76%
- Min
- -4.35%
An Operating Profit Margin of 32.64% 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 | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 22.68% | 36.19% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 9.15% | 14.63% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.41% | 28.08% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 23.40% | 32.64% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.31% | 78.55% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AZN
0.94
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.59
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.80
AZN's Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
MRK
1.54
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.59
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.80
MRK's Current Ratio of 1.54 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)
AZN
0.61
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.27
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
AZN's Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.61 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.
MRK
0.94
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.27
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
MRK's leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AZN
10.25
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 154.61
- Q3
- 70.06
- Median
- 13.25
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -27.02
AZN's Interest Coverage Ratio of 10.25 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MRK
32.78
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 154.61
- Q3
- 70.06
- Median
- 13.25
- Q1
- 2.72
- Min
- -27.02
MRK's Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.78 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 | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 1.54 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.61 | 0.94 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 10.25 | 32.78 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 4.11% | 4.97% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 8.63% | 1.31% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.82% | 3.12% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 17.15% | 9.38% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 55.36% | -19.34% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 45.41% | 8.02% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 45.90% | 8.43% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 21.88% | 21.23% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AZN
1.58%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.07%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN's Dividend Yield of 1.58% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MRK
2.74%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.07%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK's Dividend Yield of 2.74% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AZN
48.62%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 80.63%
- Median
- 43.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AZN's Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.62% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
MRK
44.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 80.63%
- Median
- 43.56%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK's Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.79% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.58% | 2.74% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 48.62% | 44.79% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AZN
30.74
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.36
- Q3
- 26.62
- Median
- 19.14
- Q1
- 14.11
- Min
- 3.63
A P/E Ratio of 30.74 places AZN in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company's future growth.
MRK
16.37
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.36
- Q3
- 26.62
- Median
- 19.14
- Q1
- 14.11
- Min
- 3.63
MRK's P/E Ratio of 16.37 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AZN
5.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.75
- Q3
- 5.31
- Median
- 2.62
- Q1
- 2.00
- Min
- 0.86
AZN's P/S Ratio of 5.35 is in the upper echelon for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
MRK
4.60
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.75
- Q3
- 5.31
- Median
- 2.62
- Q1
- 2.00
- Min
- 0.86
MRK's P/S Ratio of 4.60 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)
AZN
5.80
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 10.12
- Q3
- 5.40
- Median
- 2.62
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.63
AZN's P/B Ratio of 5.80 is in the upper tier for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company's net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
MRK
4.97
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 10.12
- Q3
- 5.40
- Median
- 2.62
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.63
MRK's P/B Ratio of 4.97 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 | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.74 | 16.37 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.35 | 4.60 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.80 | 4.97 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 36.25 | 24.18 |