JAZZ vs. MRK: Jazz Pharmaceuticals vs. Merck Stock Comparison
How do Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) and Merck (MRK) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc | Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Country/Region | Ireland | 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 | 15.07 billion USD | 361.73 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | June 1, 2007 | January 2, 1962 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 84.44% | 76.14% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 27.57% | 16.48% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 12.88% | 15.77% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
Merck (MRK) is heavily traded at around 10.24M shares per day, whereas Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) sees a more moderate 878.80K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.
| Metric | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 38.74% | 30.24% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.33 | 0.11 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -42.03% | -43.44% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 878.80K | 10.24M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.07 | 2.38 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 4.14 | 4.33 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 5.05% and Merck (MRK) at 5.06% land near their industries’ usual ROE ranges, so capital efficiency looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
5.05%
- Max
- 109.18%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- JAZZ
- 5.05%
- 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)
Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 4.37% and Merck (MRK) at 3.64% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.37%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- JAZZ
- 4.37%
- Median
- 0.00%
- 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 30.17% 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.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
30.17%
- Max
- 83.12%
- JAZZ
- 30.17%
- 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 | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 5.05% | 5.06% |
| ROA (TTM) | 6.92% | 11.29% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 4.37% | 3.64% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 30.17% | 35.22% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 91.10% | 75.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 4.88% 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
Merck (MRK) at 8.01% is around its peer norm for EPS growth, while Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at -167.51% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker earnings momentum.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 4.88% | 1.31% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 5.26% | 3.12% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | -167.51% | 8.01% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | -- | 8.43% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 1.82 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.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.82
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- JAZZ
- 1.82
- 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 Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 1.35 and Merck (MRK) at 1.20 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.35
- Max
- 1.42
- JAZZ
- 1.35
- 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 | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.82 | 1.35 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.35 | 1.20 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.39 | 1.50 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) 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.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- JAZZ
- 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; Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- JAZZ
- 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 | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.29% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 343.43% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on trailing earnings: Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 69.46 sits in the richer P/E ratio quartile, and Merck (MRK) at 148.21 is richer still, above its industry range.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
69.46
- Max
- 85.34
- JAZZ
- 69.46
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
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)
On P/S ratio, both Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 3.19 and Merck (MRK) at 5.37 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.19
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- JAZZ
- 3.19
- Q1
- 3.01
- 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)
Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ) at 3.59 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.
JAZZ
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
3.59
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- JAZZ
- 3.59
- Median
- 3.25
- 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 | JAZZ | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 69.46 | 148.21 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.19 | 5.37 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 3.59 | 8.06 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 11.16% | 3.88% |