Seek Returns logo

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

Updated on

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

Company Profile

SymbolMRKMTD
Company NameMerck & Co., Inc.Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorHealth CareHealth Care
GICS IndustryPharmaceuticalsLife Sciences Tools & Services
Market Capitalization215.32 billion USD29.27 billion USD
ExchangeNYSENYSE
Listing DateJanuary 2, 1962November 14, 1997
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of MRK and MTD 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. MTD: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolMRKMTD
5-Day Price Return3.45%0.86%
13-Week Price Return8.40%14.01%
26-Week Price Return9.64%32.10%
52-Week Price Return-14.25%1.49%
Month-to-Date Return0.90%1.15%
Year-to-Date Return-12.80%17.07%
10-Day Avg. Volume11.26M0.16M
3-Month Avg. Volume12.01M0.15M
3-Month Volatility28.25%28.42%
Beta0.321.42

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

MRK

38.95%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
38.59%
Q3
19.84%
Median
11.85%
Q1
5.40%
Min
-10.91%

MRK’s Return on Equity of 38.95% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

MTD

1,675.84%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
19.96%
Q3
11.51%
Median
6.47%
Q1
3.86%
Min
-6.95%

MTD’s Return on Equity of 1,675.84% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

29.63%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
40.67%
Q3
19.07%
Median
12.31%
Q1
4.50%
Min
-9.91%

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.

MTD

21.20%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
32.18%
Q3
18.30%
Median
10.19%
Q1
4.20%
Min
-2.05%

A Net Profit Margin of 21.20% places MTD in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

MRK

33.73%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
45.78%
Q3
23.14%
Median
16.68%
Q1
7.98%
Min
-7.13%

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.

MTD

26.24%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
38.39%
Q3
21.40%
Median
13.57%
Q1
8.38%
Min
-3.51%

An Operating Profit Margin of 26.24% places MTD in the upper quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolMRKMTD
Return on Equity (TTM)38.95%1,675.84%
Return on Assets (TTM)15.88%24.95%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)29.63%21.20%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)33.73%26.24%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)78.72%59.73%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

1.66

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
4.65
Q3
2.64
Median
1.85
Q1
1.26
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.

MTD

1.07

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
3.46
Q3
2.78
Median
1.91
Q1
1.53
Min
0.43

MTD’s Current Ratio of 1.07 falls into the lower quartile for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

0.80

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
1.75
Q3
0.82
Median
0.35
Q1
0.13
Min
0.00

MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80 is typical for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

MTD

81.23

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
1.35
Q3
0.74
Median
0.41
Q1
0.18
Min
0.00

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 81.23, MTD operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

MRK

19.65

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
103.95
Q3
43.60
Median
9.83
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.

MTD

15.60

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
45.00
Q3
27.84
Median
7.16
Q1
2.12
Min
-14.08

MTD’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.60 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolMRKMTD
Current Ratio (MRQ)1.661.07
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.440.63
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.8081.23
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)19.6515.60

Growth

Revenue Growth

MRK vs. MTD: 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. MTD: 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

3.79%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
7.14%
Q3
3.45%
Median
2.17%
Q1
0.33%
Min
0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.79%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

MTD

0.00%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
1.41%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.35%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MTD 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. MTD: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

MRK

42.60%

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
199.58%
Q3
97.17%
Median
53.47%
Q1
22.97%
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.

MTD

0.00%

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
113.14%
Q3
61.34%
Median
17.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MTD 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. MTD: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolMRKMTD
Dividend Yield (TTM)3.79%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)42.60%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

MRK

11.25

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
45.19
Q3
27.91
Median
20.59
Q1
15.08
Min
3.79

In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 11.25 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

MTD

35.14

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
75.35
Q3
51.00
Median
32.93
Q1
25.27
Min
1.43

MTD’s P/E Ratio of 35.14 is within the middle range for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

MRK

3.33

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
8.87
Q3
4.56
Median
2.14
Q1
1.58
Min
0.11

MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.33 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.

MTD

7.45

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
10.49
Q3
6.43
Median
4.66
Q1
2.88
Min
1.08

MTD’s P/S Ratio of 7.45 is in the upper echelon for the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

MRK

4.04

Pharmaceuticals Industry

Max
9.78
Q3
4.99
Median
2.48
Q1
1.53
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.

MTD

1,299.40

Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry

Max
6.69
Q3
5.00
Median
3.46
Q1
2.38
Min
0.93

At 1,299.40, MTD’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Life Sciences Tools & Services industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

MRK vs. MTD: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Tools & Services industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolMRKMTD
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)11.2535.14
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)3.337.45
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)4.041,299.40
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)16.4133.01