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LLY vs. MRK: Eli Lilly vs. Merck Stock Comparison

How do Eli Lilly (LLY) 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

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

Company profile comparison for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
Profile ItemLLYMRK
NameEli Lilly and CompanyMerck & 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 Capitalization1,052.40 billion USD335.14 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJune 1, 1972January 2, 1962
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

LLY
MRK
GSPC
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Eli Lilly (LLY) 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 Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Total Return (1Y)73.90%69.62%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)30.83%11.01%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)36.13%15.66%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

LLY
MRK
GSPC
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Eli Lilly (LLY) 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 Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)35.66%27.48%
Beta (5Y)0.500.20
Max Drawdown (5Y)-34.48%-43.44%
Avg. Volume (3M)2.97M10.12M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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LLY 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 Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)1.962.39
Sortino Ratio (1Y)3.414.18

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Eli Lilly (LLY) at 102.29% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Merck (MRK) at 6.96% also sits in the top quartile.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

102.29%

LLY
102.29%
Max
100.28%
Q3
3.43%
Median
-33.05%
Q1
-62.24%
Min
-157.61%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

6.96%

Max
100.28%
MRK
6.96%
Q3
3.43%
Median
-33.05%
Q1
-62.24%
Min
-157.61%
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their ROE against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 33.53% keeps the most of each sales dollar — above its industry’s net margin range — and Merck (MRK) at 4.77% also retains a top-quartile share.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.53%

LLY
33.53%
Max
13.44%
Q3
3.18%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-14.36%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

4.77%

Max
13.44%
MRK
4.77%
Q3
3.18%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-4.14%
Min
-14.36%
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their net margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Merck (MRK) reports a negative operating margin of -0.24%, usually indicating that operating costs exceeded revenue at the operating-income line. Meanwhile Eli Lilly (LLY) reports 54.22%, ranking against industry peers normally.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

54.22%

Max
76.04%
LLY
54.22%
Q3
10.89%
Median
0.00%
Q1
-122.64%
Min
-308.66%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

-0.24%

Max
76.04%
Q3
10.89%
Median
0.00%
MRK
-0.24%
Q1
-122.64%
Min
-308.66%
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their operating margin against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
ROE (TTM)102.29%6.96%
ROA (TTM)20.36%11.87%
Net Margin (TTM)33.53%4.77%
Operating Margin (TTM)54.22%-0.24%
Gross Margin (TTM)83.40%75.90%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 44.70% 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.

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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 95.99% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Merck (MRK) at 8.01% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for LLY.

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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Revenue Growth (YoY)44.70%1.31%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)31.69%3.12%
EPS Growth (YoY)95.99%8.01%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)51.71%8.43%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.36 and Merck (MRK) at 1.32 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.36

Max
26.78
Q3
12.43
Median
5.72
Q1
2.77
LLY
1.36
Min
0.10

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.32

Max
26.78
Q3
12.43
Median
5.72
Q1
2.77
MRK
1.32
Min
0.10
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their current ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both balance sheets lean debt-heavy versus peers, but LLY is more stretched: Merck (MRK) at 1.28 sits in the higher-leverage quartile and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 1.62 is above its industry benchmark range.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.62

LLY
1.62
Max
1.48
Q3
0.64
Median
0.14
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

1.28

Max
1.48
MRK
1.28
Q3
0.64
Median
0.14
Q1
0.02
Min
0.00
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Eli Lilly (LLY) 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 Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.361.32
Debt / Equity (MRQ)1.621.28
Net Debt / EBITDA1.101.62

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 0.54% and Merck (MRK) at 2.45% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

0.54%

LLY
0.54%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

2.45%

MRK
2.45%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Eli Lilly (LLY) 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 268.80%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings and sustainability needs extra context. Meanwhile Eli Lilly (LLY) reports 21.69%, ranking against industry peers normally.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

21.69%

LLY
21.69%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

268.80%

MRK
268.80%
Max
0.00%
Q3
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.54%2.45%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)21.69%268.80%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Eli Lilly (LLY) at 39.68 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Merck (MRK) at 108.67 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for MRK’s trailing earnings.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

39.68

Max
77.53
Q3
41.75
LLY
39.68
Median
27.59
Q1
15.21
Min
0.13

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

108.67

MRK
108.67
Max
77.53
Q3
41.75
Median
27.59
Q1
15.21
Min
0.13
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

On P/S ratio, both Eli Lilly (LLY) at 13.20 and Merck (MRK) at 5.03 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

13.20

Max
73.14
Q3
31.51
LLY
13.20
Median
7.39
Q1
3.47
Min
0.01

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

5.03

Max
73.14
Q3
31.51
Median
7.39
MRK
5.03
Q1
3.47
Min
0.01
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Merck (MRK) at 8.00 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Eli Lilly (LLY) at 33.80 prices even higher, above its industry range.

LLY

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

33.80

LLY
33.80
Max
15.18
Q3
7.45
Median
3.92
Q1
1.79
Min
-5.47

MRK

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group

8.00

Max
15.18
MRK
8.00
Q3
7.45
Median
3.92
Q1
1.79
Min
-5.47
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Eli Lilly (LLY) vs. Merck (MRK): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Eli Lilly (LLY) and Merck (MRK)
MetricLLYMRK
P/E Ratio (TTM)39.68108.67
P/S Ratio (TTM)13.205.03
P/B Ratio (MRQ)33.808.00
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.05%4.53%