BMRN vs. MRK: BioMarin Pharmaceutical vs. Merck Stock Comparison
How do BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Merck (MRK) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) and Merck (MRK) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but BMRN is classified in Biotechnology while MRK is classified in Pharmaceuticals.
| Profile Item | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Name | BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Biotechnology | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 10.85 billion USD | 361.73 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | July 26, 1999 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 8.82% | 76.14% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | -12.54% | 16.48% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | -7.51% | 15.77% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 35.50% | 30.24% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.24 | 0.11 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -57.64% | -43.44% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 2.28M | 10.24M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.13 | 2.38 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.23 | 4.33 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) reports a negative ROE of -0.31%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 5.06%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-0.31%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- BMRN
- -0.31%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.06%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- MRK
- 5.06%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) reports a negative net margin of -0.52%, usually indicating a net loss over the period. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 3.64%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
-0.52%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- BMRN
- -0.52%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.64%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- MRK
- 3.64%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 26.58% and Merck (MRK) at 35.22% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
26.58%
- Max
- 83.12%
- BMRN
- 26.58%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
35.22%
- Max
- 83.12%
- MRK
- 35.22%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | -0.31% | 5.06% |
| ROA (TTM) | 3.89% | 11.29% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | -0.52% | 3.64% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 26.58% | 35.22% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 53.21% | 75.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 12.87% and Merck (MRK) at 1.31% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at -18.55% and Merck (MRK) at 8.01% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 12.87% | 1.31% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 15.40% | 3.12% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -18.55% | 8.01% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 33.89% | 8.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 2.44 and Merck (MRK) at 1.35 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.44
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- BMRN
- 2.44
- Min
- 0.10
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.35
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- MRK
- 1.35
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Both BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 0.67 and Merck (MRK) at 1.20 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.67
- Max
- 1.42
- BMRN
- 0.67
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.20
- Max
- 1.42
- MRK
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.44 | 1.35 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.67 | 1.20 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.04 | 1.50 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports a yield of 2.29%, ranking against industry peers normally.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BMRN
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.29%
- MRK
- 2.29%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Merck (MRK) reports payout ratio above 100% at 343.43%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- BMRN
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
343.43%
- MRK
- 343.43%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 343.43% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Merck (MRK) trades at 148.21 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) has no P/E ratio this period.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
--
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
- BMRN
- --
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
148.21
- MRK
- 148.21
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 2.97 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Merck (MRK) at 5.37 prices around its industry’s middle — BMRN costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.97
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- Q1
- 3.01
- BMRN
- 2.97
- Min
- 0.01
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.37
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- MRK
- 5.37
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical (BMRN) at 1.73 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Merck (MRK) at 8.06 carries an above-peer premium to book — MRK is pricier on assets.
BMRN
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.73
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- BMRN
- 1.73
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
8.06
- Max
- 13.53
- MRK
- 8.06
- Q3
- 6.54
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | BMRN | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | -- | 148.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 2.97 | 5.37 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 1.73 | 8.06 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -0.15% | 3.88% |