MRK vs. MRNA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on November 18, 2025

Here’s a clear look at MRK and MRNA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
Company Name	Merck & Co., Inc.	Moderna, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Health Care	Health Care
GICS Industry	Pharmaceuticals	Biotechnology
Market Capitalization	235.17 billion USD	9.70 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	January 2, 1962	December 7, 2018
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MRK and MRNA 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.

MRK vs. MRNA: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
5-Day Price Return	7.11%	0.04%
13-Week Price Return	10.34%	-11.60%
26-Week Price Return	21.26%	-2.82%
52-Week Price Return	-5.67%	-41.22%
Month-to-Date Return	8.07%	-8.80%
Year-to-Date Return	-6.59%	-40.43%
10-Day Avg. Volume	12.87M	11.56M
3-Month Avg. Volume	12.04M	10.45M
3-Month Volatility	29.28%	59.86%
Beta	0.30	1.20

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MRK

38.95%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 38.95%
Q3: 20.34%
Median: 11.59%
Q1: 3.32%
Min: -10.91%

In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s Return on Equity of 38.95% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

MRNA

-31.40%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 96.19%
Q3: 12.45%
Median: -16.39%
Q1: -47.43%
Min: -131.19%

MRNA has a negative Return on Equity of -31.40%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

29.63%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 39.07%
Q3: 19.28%
Median: 13.48%
Q1: 5.73%
Min: -8.86%

A Net Profit Margin of 29.63% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MRNA

-139.61%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 84.13%
Q3: 19.34%
Median: -1.39%
Q1: -117.64%
Min: -296.77%

MRNA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -139.61%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

33.73%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 45.58%
Q3: 24.35%
Median: 18.05%
Q1: 7.58%
Min: -11.88%

An Operating Profit Margin of 33.73% 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.

MRNA

-155.15%

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 78.85%
Q3: 20.86%
Median: 0.51%
Q1: -128.29%
Min: -315.84%

MRNA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -155.15%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
Return on Equity (TTM)	38.95%	-31.40%
Return on Assets (TTM)	15.88%	-24.44%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	29.63%	-139.61%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	33.73%	-155.15%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	78.72%	63.49%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

1.66

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 5.45
Q3: 2.99
Median: 1.98
Q1: 1.29
Min: 0.78

MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.66 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MRNA

3.93

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 15.83
Q3: 7.97
Median: 4.06
Q1: 2.64
Min: 0.72

MRNA’s Current Ratio of 3.93 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

0.80

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 1.79
Q3: 0.78
Median: 0.31
Q1: 0.08
Min: 0.00

MRK’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

MRNA

0.01

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 1.27
Q3: 0.62
Median: 0.13
Q1: 0.00
Min: 0.00

MRNA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 is typical for the Biotechnology industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MRK

19.65

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 103.95
Q3: 43.60
Median: 10.15
Q1: 2.37
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.

MRNA

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 72.37
Q3: 1.71
Median: -15.18
Q1: -65.75
Min: -166.46

Interest Coverage Ratio data for MRNA is currently unavailable.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.66	3.93
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.44	3.40
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.80	0.01
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	19.65	--

Growth

Revenue Growth

MRK vs. MRNA: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

MRK vs. MRNA: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

MRK

3.52%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 6.72%
Q3: 3.48%
Median: 1.90%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.52%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MRNA

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

MRNA 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 vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MRK

42.60%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 199.58%
Q3: 85.87%
Median: 49.36%
Q1: 1.12%
Min: 0.00%

MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 42.60% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

MRNA

0.00%

Biotechnology Industry

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

MRNA 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 vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.52%	0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	42.60%	0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MRK

12.12

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 52.64
Q3: 29.89
Median: 20.77
Q1: 13.37
Min: 5.71

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 12.12 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MRNA

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 115.91
Q3: 56.76
Median: 21.80
Q1: 15.79
Min: 4.51

P/E Ratio data for MRNA is currently unavailable.

MRK vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MRK

3.59

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 8.74
Q3: 4.66
Median: 2.37
Q1: 1.67
Min: 0.11

MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.59 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.

MRNA

4.30

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 58.56
Q3: 29.31
Median: 8.30
Q1: 4.89
Min: 0.86

In the lower quartile for the Biotechnology industry, MRNA’s P/S Ratio of 4.30 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 vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

4.04

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max: 9.86
Q3: 5.28
Median: 2.48
Q1: 1.57
Min: 0.59

MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.04 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.

MRNA

1.08

Biotechnology Industry

Max: 17.92
Q3: 10.38
Median: 4.78
Q1: 2.85
Min: 0.78

MRNA’s P/B Ratio of 1.08 is in the lower quartile for the Biotechnology 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 vs. MRNA: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	MRK	MRNA
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	12.12	--
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	3.59	4.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	4.04	1.08
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	17.67	31.69