BMY vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at BMY and MRK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 97.40 billion USD | 206.59 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of BMY 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 | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.49% | 2.91% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.68% | 2.83% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -16.67% | -6.06% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 1.68% | -27.11% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 10.48% | 5.88% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -15.40% | -16.86% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 15.20M | 11.29M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.69M | 15.38M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 30.84% | 29.65% |
| Beta | 0.35 | 0.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
BMY
29.57%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, BMY’s Return on Equity of 29.57% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MRK
34.88%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s Return on Equity of 34.88% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
BMY
10.59%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
BMY’s Net Profit Margin of 10.59% 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
25.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.79% 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)
BMY
17.82%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
BMY’s Operating Profit Margin of 17.82% is around the midpoint for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
MRK
30.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.00% 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 | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 29.57% | 34.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.41% | 14.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.59% | 25.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 17.82% | 30.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 73.92% | 78.32% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
BMY
1.21
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
BMY’s Current Ratio of 1.21 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
1.42
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.42 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)
BMY
2.82
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.82, BMY operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Pharmaceuticals industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
MRK
0.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
BMY
-4.77
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
BMY has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -4.77. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
MRK
19.65
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- Min
- -42.71
MRK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 19.65 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 | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.21 | 1.42 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.11 | 1.17 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.82 | 0.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -4.77 | 19.65 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
BMY
5.14%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 5.14%, BMY offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
MRK
3.97%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.97%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
BMY
98.10%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
BMY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 98.10% is in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
MRK
48.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.95% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 5.14% | 3.97% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 98.10% | 48.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
BMY
19.09
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
BMY’s P/E Ratio of 19.09 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.
MRK
12.32
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 12.32 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
BMY
2.02
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
BMY’s P/S Ratio of 2.02 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.
MRK
3.18
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.18 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)
BMY
5.40
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
BMY’s P/B Ratio of 5.40 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
4.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 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 | BMY | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.09 | 12.32 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.02 | 3.18 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.40 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 6.61 | 13.73 |