ICLR vs. MRK: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ICLR and MRK, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ICON Public Limited Company | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country | Ireland | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Life Sciences Tools & Services | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 14.02 billion USD | 211.46 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 15, 1998 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ICLR 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 | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.79% | 2.30% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 37.86% | 9.62% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -1.31% | 0.28% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -44.52% | -26.01% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.54% | 8.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -14.05% | -14.90% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.04M | 9.70M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.53M | 14.71M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 57.86% | 24.03% |
| Beta | 1.24 | 0.36 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ICLR
8.28%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 19.96%
- Q3
- 11.55%
- Median
- 6.22%
- Q1
- 3.86%
- Min
- -6.95%
ICLR’s Return on Equity of 8.28% is on par with the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
ICLR
9.82%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 27.28%
- Q3
- 16.17%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 3.00%
- Min
- -3.05%
ICLR’s Net Profit Margin of 9.82% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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)
ICLR
12.50%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 33.15%
- Q3
- 19.34%
- Median
- 13.02%
- Q1
- 8.05%
- Min
- -4.38%
ICLR’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.50% is around the midpoint for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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 | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 8.28% | 34.88% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.71% | 14.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.82% | 25.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.50% | 30.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.65% | 78.32% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ICLR
1.29
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 4.76
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.85
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.43
ICLR’s Current Ratio of 1.29 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services 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)
ICLR
0.36
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 0.83
- Median
- 0.41
- Q1
- 0.18
- Min
- 0.00
ICLR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.36 is typical for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
MRK
0.72
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)
ICLR
4.80
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 29.61
- Q3
- 23.24
- Median
- 6.07
- Q1
- 2.18
- Min
- -14.08
ICLR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.80 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.29 | 1.42 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.24 | 1.17 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.36 | 0.72 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.80 | 19.65 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ICLR
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 1.80%
- Q3
- 0.78%
- Median
- 0.37%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ICLR 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
3.77%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, 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)
ICLR
0.00%
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 156.00%
- Q3
- 65.73%
- Median
- 23.81%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ICLR 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
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 | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 3.77% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 48.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ICLR
17.61
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 117.96
- Q3
- 65.59
- Median
- 37.26
- Q1
- 27.51
- Min
- 1.73
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, ICLR’s P/E Ratio of 17.61 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
MRK
12.97
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 12.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ICLR
1.73
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 12.46
- Q3
- 6.70
- Median
- 4.24
- Q1
- 2.68
- Min
- 0.73
In the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, ICLR’s P/S Ratio of 1.73 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
MRK
3.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 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)
ICLR
1.21
Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry
- Max
- 7.99
- Q3
- 4.69
- Median
- 3.30
- Q1
- 1.88
- Min
- 1.02
ICLR’s P/B Ratio of 1.21 is in the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & 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
4.06
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 | ICLR | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 17.61 | 12.97 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.73 | 3.35 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 1.21 | 4.06 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.14 | 14.46 |