AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Merck (MRK)

Company Profile

AstraZeneca (AZN) and Merck (MRK) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Historical Performance

AstraZeneca (AZN) has an aggressive beta of 1.31, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Merck (MRK) is defensive at 0.20 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Profitability

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 22.27% and Merck (MRK) at 17.93% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.19% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Merck (MRK) at 13.59%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.69% and Merck (MRK) at 18.18% rank in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into operating income more strongly than typical competitors.

Profitability at a Glance

Financial Strength

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.91 and Merck (MRK) at 1.30 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.72 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Merck (MRK) at 1.07 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 12.68 and Merck (MRK) at 22.74 rank in the top quartile for Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) among industry peers, indicating ample headroom to cover interest payments from operating income or EBIT.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Growth

Revenue Growth

Revenue Growth at a Glance

EPS Growth

EPS Growth at a Glance

Dividend

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.69% and Merck (MRK) at 2.91% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 47.27% and Merck (MRK) at 44.79% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.

Dividend at a Glance

Valuation

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.96 and Merck (MRK) at 31.61 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.81 and Merck (MRK) at 4.30 post Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing revenue multiple.

Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 6.46 and Merck (MRK) at 6.48 post Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on book-value multiple.

Valuation at a Glance