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KYMR vs. MRK: Kymera Therapeutics vs. Merck Stock Comparison

How do Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) 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

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but KYMR is classified in Biotechnology while MRK is classified in Pharmaceuticals.

Merck (MRK) has more than two decades of public-market history since January 2, 1962, whereas Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) listed on August 21, 2020 and has a much shorter record to draw on.

Company profile comparison for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
Profile ItemKYMRMRK
NameKymera Therapeutics Inc.Merck & Co., Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS Industry GroupPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life SciencesPharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences
GICS IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
GICS Sub-IndustryBiotechnologyPharmaceuticals
Market Capitalization11.25 billion USD361.73 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateAugust 21, 2020January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

KYMR
MRK
GSPC
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Total Return (1Y)131.52%76.14%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)111.65%16.48%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)15.68%15.77%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

KYMR
MRK
GSPC
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) has an aggressive beta of 2.00, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Merck (MRK) is defensive at 0.11 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Merck (MRK) is heavily traded at around 10.24M shares per day, whereas Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) sees a more moderate 833.05K — larger orders in the latter may require more patience and tighter control over order sizing.

Risk profile metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)62.83%30.24%
Beta (5Y)2.000.11
Max Drawdown (5Y)-83.27%-43.44%
Avg. Volume (3M)833.05K10.24M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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KYMR and MRK are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)2.032.38
Sortino Ratio (1Y)4.164.33

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) reports a negative ROE of -27.29%; negative ROE can reflect losses or negative shareholders’ equity, so it is harder to read as capital efficiency. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 5.06%, ranking against industry peers normally.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-27.29%

Max
109.18%
Q3
6.23%
Median
-26.66%
KYMR
-27.29%
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%
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Both Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at 0.00% 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.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

Max
18.05%
Q3
4.78%
KYMR
0.00%
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%
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) reports a negative operating margin of -396.04%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Merck (MRK) reports 35.22%, ranking against industry peers normally.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-396.04%

Max
83.12%
Q3
14.77%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-78.82%
Min
-207.40%
KYMR
-396.04%

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%
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
ROE (TTM)-27.29%5.06%
ROA (TTM)-17.64%11.29%
Net Margin (TTM)0.00%3.64%
Operating Margin (TTM)-396.04%35.22%
Gross Margin (TTM)0.00%75.20%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Merck (MRK) at 1.31% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at -16.70% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: Merck (MRK) reports EPS growth of 8.01%, ranked against its industry; Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Revenue Growth (YoY)-16.70%1.31%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)-5.74%3.12%
EPS Growth (YoY)--8.01%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--8.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at 11.13 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Merck (MRK) at 1.35 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for MRK.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

11.13

Max
25.13
Q3
12.13
KYMR
11.13
Median
5.52
Q1
2.47
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
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at 0.05 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Merck (MRK) at 1.20 uses more debt funding than most peers.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.05

Max
1.42
Q3
0.65
Median
0.15
KYMR
0.05
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
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Current Ratio (MRQ)11.131.35
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.051.20
Net Debt / EBITDA--1.50

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) 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.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

KYMR
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%
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Merck (MRK) reports payout ratio above 100% at 343.43%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%).

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.00%

KYMR
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%
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%2.29%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%343.43%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

An earnings multiple is available for just one side: Merck (MRK) trades at 148.21 times trailing earnings, ranked against its peers, while Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) has no P/E ratio this period.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

--

Max
85.34
Q3
43.46
Median
26.69
Q1
13.30
Min
0.07
KYMR
--

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
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): KYMR does not report P/E ratio, so it has no value marker; MRK is benchmarked against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Merck (MRK) at 5.37 prices around its industry’s typical P/S ratio, while Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at 110.00 clears its benchmark range — KYMR looks notably rich on sales.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

110.00

KYMR
110.00
Max
58.18
Q3
25.77
Median
7.30
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
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Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) at 6.96 and Merck (MRK) at 8.06 carry a premium to book value versus peers, sitting in the upper P/B ratio quartile of their industries.

KYMR

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.96

Max
13.53
KYMR
6.96
Q3
6.54
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
Loading chart…
Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Kymera Therapeutics (KYMR) and Merck (MRK)
MetricKYMRMRK
P/E Ratio (TTM)--148.21
P/S Ratio (TTM)110.005.37
P/B Ratio (MRQ)6.968.06
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)-1.46%3.88%