AZN vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
UpdatedHere’s a clear look at AZN 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
AZN dominates in value with a market cap of 432.07 billion USD, eclipsing MRK’s 193.30 billion USD by roughly 2.24×.
MRK carries a higher beta at 0.44, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AZN remains steadier at 0.18.
AZN trades as an ADR, giving U.S. investors a simple on-ramp to its foreign shares, while MRK remains a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | AstraZeneca PLC | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Industry | Drug Manufacturers - General | Drug Manufacturers - General |
| CEO | Mr. Pascal Claude Roland Soriot D.V.M., M.B.A. | Mr. Robert M. Davis J.D. |
| Price | 69.68 USD | 76.98 USD |
| Market Cap | 432.07 billion USD | 193.30 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.18 | 0.44 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NYSE |
| IPO Date | May 12, 1993 | January 13, 1978 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Performance Comparison
This chart compares the performance of AZN 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 AZN and MRK, please refer to the table below.
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 27.80 | 11.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.50 | 4.93 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 3.93 | 3.02 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 5.26 | 4.03 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 22.33 | 11.34 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 13.68 | 8.04 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 4.41 | 3.43 |
| EV-to-Free Cash Flow (TTM) | 25.07 | 12.88 |
Dividend Comparison
MRK stands out with a 4.10% dividend yield—around 195% above AZN’s 1.39%—highlighting its emphasis on generous payouts.
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.39% | 4.10% |
Financial Strength Metrics Comparison
This section dives into the financial resilience of AZN and MRK, spotlighting key metrics like liquidity, leverage, and debt coverage. Check out the standout observations below where notable differences or extremes pop up.
- AZN’s current ratio of 0.90 signals a possible liquidity squeeze, while MRK at 1.41 comfortably covers its short-term obligations.
- AZN’s quick ratio of 0.70 suggests it may struggle to cover immediate liabilities without selling inventory or raising cash, whereas MRK at 1.16 maintains a comfortable buffer of liquid assets.
- AZN meets its interest obligations (ratio 7.95). 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 | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 0.90 | 1.41 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.70 | 1.16 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.77 | 0.72 |
| Debt-to-Assets Ratio (TTM) | 0.30 | 0.30 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.95 | -75.48 |