CNC vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNC and MRK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Centene Corporation | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Health Care Providers & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 16.83 billion USD | 215.32 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | December 13, 2001 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNC 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 | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -5.15% | 3.45% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 35.64% | 8.40% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -45.57% | 9.64% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -45.22% | -14.25% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.17% | 0.90% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -43.46% | -12.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 13.06M | 11.26M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.94M | 12.01M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 53.65% | 28.25% |
| Beta | 0.49 | 0.32 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNC
-20.61%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 24.86%
- Q3
- 15.79%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- 5.75%
- Min
- -1.64%
CNC has a negative Return on Equity of -20.61%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
MRK
38.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.85%
- Q1
- 5.40%
- Min
- -10.91%
MRK’s Return on Equity of 38.95% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CNC
-2.85%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 11.56%
- Q3
- 5.45%
- Median
- 2.83%
- Q1
- 1.13%
- Min
- -1.71%
CNC has a negative Net Profit Margin of -2.85%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
MRK
29.63%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.67%
- Q3
- 19.07%
- Median
- 12.31%
- Q1
- 4.50%
- Min
- -9.91%
A Net Profit Margin of 29.63% 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)
CNC
-3.07%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.08%
- Q3
- 9.66%
- Median
- 4.77%
- Q1
- 2.46%
- Min
- -0.83%
CNC has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -3.07%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
MRK
33.73%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.78%
- Q3
- 23.14%
- Median
- 16.68%
- Q1
- 7.98%
- Min
- -7.13%
An Operating Profit Margin of 33.73% 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 | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | -20.61% | 38.95% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | -6.26% | 15.88% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | -2.85% | 29.63% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | -3.07% | 33.73% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.14% | 78.72% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNC
1.08
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 1.29
- Q1
- 0.92
- Min
- 0.14
CNC’s Current Ratio of 1.08 aligns with the median group of the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
MRK
1.66
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.65
- Q3
- 2.64
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.78
MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.66 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)
CNC
0.84
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 2.29
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.50
- Min
- 0.00
CNC’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.84 is typical for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
MRK
0.80
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.82
- Median
- 0.35
- Q1
- 0.13
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80 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)
CNC
7.06
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 14.47
- Q3
- 7.50
- Median
- 4.52
- Q1
- 2.12
- Min
- -4.44
CNC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.06 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Health Care Providers & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
MRK
19.65
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 43.60
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.37
- 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 | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 1.66 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.08 | 1.44 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 0.80 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.06 | 19.65 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 5.93%
- Q3
- 2.59%
- Median
- 1.35%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
MRK
3.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.14%
- Q3
- 3.45%
- Median
- 2.17%
- Q1
- 0.33%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.79%, 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)
CNC
0.00%
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 185.33%
- Q3
- 74.82%
- Median
- 36.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNC has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
MRK
42.60%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 199.58%
- Q3
- 97.17%
- Median
- 53.47%
- Q1
- 22.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 42.60% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.79% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 42.60% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNC
--
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 40.02
- Q3
- 29.75
- Median
- 21.09
- Q1
- 14.18
- Min
- 7.05
P/E Ratio data for CNC is currently unavailable.
MRK
11.25
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 45.19
- Q3
- 27.91
- Median
- 20.59
- Q1
- 15.08
- Min
- 3.79
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 11.25 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CNC
0.09
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 3.15
- Q3
- 1.87
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.09
CNC’s P/S Ratio of 0.09 falls below the typical floor for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. This could suggest the stock is overlooked or deeply undervalued relative to its sales, but may also reflect significant market concerns about its future.
MRK
3.33
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 8.87
- Q3
- 4.56
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.58
- Min
- 0.11
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.33 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)
CNC
0.84
Health Care Providers & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.33
- Q3
- 4.45
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.66
CNC’s P/B Ratio of 0.84 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Providers & Services industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
MRK
4.04
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.99
- Median
- 2.48
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.59
MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.04 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 | CNC | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | -- | 11.25 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 0.09 | 3.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 0.84 | 4.04 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 4.12 | 16.41 |