AstraZeneca (AZN) vs. Merck (MRK)
This page compares AstraZeneca (AZN) with Merck (MRK) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
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.
Merck (MRK) trades as a standard ordinary-equity line, while AstraZeneca (AZN) is an ADR tied to a foreign-share or depositary-receipt structure — compare with FX exposure, program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Name | AstraZeneca PLC American Depositary Shares | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country/Region | 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 | 284.47 billion USD | 295.39 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 12, 1993 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | ADR | Common Stock |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.63 and Merck (MRK) at 33.69 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.63
- Max
- 86.12
- Q3
- 44.09
- Median
- 25.14
- Q1
- 14.77
- Min
- 1.59
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.69
- Max
- 86.12
- Q3
- 44.09
- Median
- 25.14
- Q1
- 14.77
- Min
- 1.59
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
On Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM), both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 4.71 and Merck (MRK) at 4.49 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.71
- Max
- 41.86
- Q3
- 22.86
- Median
- 6.80
- Q1
- 3.35
- Min
- 0.01
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.49
- Max
- 41.86
- Q3
- 22.86
- Median
- 6.80
- Q1
- 3.35
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AstraZeneca (AZN) at 6.00 is valued about in line with its industry on Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ), while Merck (MRK) at 6.44 carries a peer-beating premium to book — MRK is pricier on assets.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.00
- Max
- 12.97
- Q3
- 6.18
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 1.62
- Min
- -4.60
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.44
- Max
- 12.97
- Q3
- 6.18
- Median
- 3.45
- Q1
- 1.62
- Min
- -4.60
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 27.63 | 33.69 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.71 | 4.49 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.00 | 6.44 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 2.31% | 4.76% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 23.48% and Merck (MRK) at 18.94% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
23.48%
- Max
- 100.65%
- Q3
- 3.39%
- Median
- -31.16%
- Q1
- -61.60%
- Min
- -158.89%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
18.94%
- Max
- 100.65%
- Q3
- 3.39%
- Median
- -31.16%
- Q1
- -61.60%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AstraZeneca (AZN) at 17.19% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s Net Profit Margin (TTM) range — and Merck (MRK) at 13.59% also retains a top-quartile share.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
17.19%
- Max
- 13.81%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -3.07%
- Min
- -13.58%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.59%
- Max
- 13.81%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -3.07%
- Min
- -13.58%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 27.94% and Merck (MRK) at 38.60% squeeze more operating profit from each sales dollar than most peers, ranking in the top Operating Profit Margin (TTM) quartile of their industries.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
27.94%
- Max
- 100.30%
- Q3
- 4.94%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -133.46%
- Min
- -337.81%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
38.60%
- Max
- 100.30%
- Q3
- 4.94%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -133.46%
- Min
- -337.81%
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 23.48% | 18.94% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.49% | 12.58% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.19% | 13.59% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 27.94% | 38.60% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 81.51% | 76.73% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 8.63% | 1.31% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.82% | 3.12% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 45.33% | 8.01% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 45.80% | 8.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.91
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.47
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.30
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.47
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 0.72 and Merck (MRK) at 1.07 run Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) in the higher-leverage quartile of industry peers, indicating more debt relative to equity than typical competitors.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.69
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.07
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.69
- Median
- 0.16
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.91 | 1.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 1.07 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.32 | 1.47 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 1.72% and Merck (MRK) at 2.84% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.72%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.84%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both AstraZeneca (AZN) at 47.70% and Merck (MRK) at 93.52% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.
AZN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
47.70%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
93.52%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.72% | 2.84% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.70% | 93.52% |
Performance & Risk
Performance & Risk at a Glance
| Symbol | AZN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 26.73% | 56.85% |
| 1-Year Volatility | 25.91% | 27.35% |
| Beta | 0.25 | 0.20 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.94M | 9.63M |