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Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK)

This page compares Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) with Merck (MRK) using historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation metrics.

Company Profile

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and Merck (MRK) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

SymbolJNJMRK
Company NameJohnson & JohnsonMerck & Co., Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryPharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization557.82 billion USD286.20 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

JNJ
MRK
Loading price history…
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
5-Day Price Return2.21%4.04%
13-Week Price Return-6.15%-4.91%
26-Week Price Return18.68%24.70%
52-Week Price Return51.28%50.53%
Month-to-Date Return0.82%6.14%
Year-to-Date Return11.97%10.09%
10-Day Avg. Volume7.94M7.82M
3-Month Avg. Volume8.47M10.62M
3-Month Volatility16.99%24.25%
Beta0.270.20

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 26.26% and Merck (MRK) at 17.93% rank in the top quartile for Return on Equity (TTM) among industry peers, indicating strong returns on shareholders’ equity.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

26.26%

Max
101.31%
Q3
9.45%
Median
-24.29%
Q1
-57.59%
Min
-152.10%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

17.93%

Max
101.31%
Q3
9.45%
Median
-24.29%
Q1
-57.59%
Min
-152.10%
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 21.83% ranks in the top quartile for Net Profit Margin (TTM), ahead of Merck (MRK) at 13.59%, which sits closer to the industry mid-range.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.83%

Max
90.67%
Q3
13.59%
Median
-9.02%
Q1
-156.67%
Min
-407.00%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.59%

Max
90.67%
Q3
13.59%
Median
-9.02%
Q1
-156.67%
Min
-407.00%
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 25.88% and Merck (MRK) at 18.18% rank in the top quartile for Operating Profit Margin (TTM) among industry peers, indicating both companies convert revenue into operating income more strongly than typical competitors.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

25.88%

Max
65.08%
Q3
16.47%
Median
-9.50%
Q1
-194.89%
Min
-449.94%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

18.18%

Max
65.08%
Q3
16.47%
Median
-9.50%
Q1
-194.89%
Min
-449.94%
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
Return on Equity (TTM)26.26%17.93%
Return on Assets (TTM)10.70%6.97%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)21.83%13.59%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)25.88%18.18%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)67.95%78.07%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 1.03 and Merck (MRK) at 1.30 run Current Ratio (MRQ) in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.03

Max
19.59
Q3
9.51
Median
4.07
Q1
2.07
Min
0.67

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.30

Max
19.59
Q3
9.51
Median
4.07
Q1
2.07
Min
0.67
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 0.68 carries Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) around its industry mid-range, while Merck (MRK) at 1.07 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.68

Max
2.26
Q3
1.00
Median
0.19
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.07

Max
2.26
Q3
1.00
Median
0.19
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 34.01 and Merck (MRK) at 22.74 rank in the top quartile for Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) among industry peers, indicating ample headroom to cover interest payments from operating income or EBIT.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

34.01

Max
72.37
Q3
4.99
Median
-4.89
Q1
-43.93
Min
-104.22

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

22.74

Max
72.37
Q3
4.99
Median
-4.89
Q1
-43.93
Min
-104.22
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.031.30
Quick Ratio (MRQ)0.691.06
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.681.07
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)34.0122.74

Growth

Revenue Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

Revenue Growth at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)9.91%4.87%
Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)7.87%2.89%
3-Year Revenue CAGR5.60%3.12%
5-Year Revenue CAGR2.67%9.38%

EPS Growth

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY)-52.82%--
EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY)-3.89%-48.26%
3-Year EPS CAGR17.88%8.43%
5-Year EPS CAGR14.90%21.23%

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 2.26% and Merck (MRK) at 2.91% report Dividend Yield (TTM) near their industry mid-ranges, so neither company stands out strongly from peers on cash yield relative to share price.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.26%

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.91%

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 59.52% and Merck (MRK) at 44.79% post Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) outside their industries’ typical mid-range — either leaning toward more retention or more distribution than the industry median.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

59.52%

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

44.79%

Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.26%2.91%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)59.52%44.79%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 26.37 and Merck (MRK) at 31.61 post Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing earnings multiple.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

26.37

Max
68.36
Q3
38.86
Median
25.36
Q1
17.81
Min
4.59

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

31.61

Max
68.36
Q3
38.86
Median
25.36
Q1
17.81
Min
4.59
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 5.76 and Merck (MRK) at 4.30 post Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on trailing revenue multiple.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.76

Max
45.85
Q3
22.84
Median
6.16
Q1
3.49
Min
0.19

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.30

Max
45.85
Q3
22.84
Median
6.16
Q1
3.49
Min
0.19
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

Both Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 7.19 and Merck (MRK) at 6.48 post Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) near the typical industry midpoint — neither company stands out strongly from peers on book-value multiple.

JNJ

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

7.19

Max
19.86
Q3
9.76
Median
4.52
Q1
2.54
Min
0.54

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.48

Max
19.86
Q3
9.76
Median
4.52
Q1
2.54
Min
0.54
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolJNJMRK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)26.3731.61
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)5.764.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)7.196.48
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)31.2020.01