MRK vs. NBIX: Merck vs. Neurocrine Biosciences Stock Comparison
How do Merck (MRK) and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) 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
Merck (MRK) and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) both fall under the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group, but MRK is classified in Pharmaceuticals while NBIX is classified in Biotechnology.
| Profile Item | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 361.73 billion USD | 16.66 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | Nasdaq |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | May 23, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 76.14% | 9.40% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 16.48% | 14.12% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 15.77% | 12.61% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 30.24% | 35.05% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.11 | 0.29 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -43.44% | -42.89% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 10.24M | 1.31M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 2.38 | 0.15 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 4.33 | 0.22 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 20.42% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Merck (MRK) at 5.06% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for NBIX.
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%
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
20.42%
- Max
- 109.18%
- NBIX
- 20.42%
- Q3
- 6.23%
- Median
- -26.66%
- Q1
- -64.05%
- Min
- -167.77%
Net Margin (TTM)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 18.98% converts revenue to bottom-line profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Merck (MRK) at 3.64% keeps roughly the typical share for its industry.
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%
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
18.98%
- NBIX
- 18.98%
- Max
- 18.05%
- Q3
- 4.78%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -4.14%
- Min
- -17.05%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 35.22% and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 31.98% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
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%
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
31.98%
- Max
- 83.12%
- NBIX
- 31.98%
- Q3
- 14.77%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -78.82%
- Min
- -207.40%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 5.06% | 20.42% |
| ROA (TTM) | 11.29% | 12.45% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 3.64% | 18.98% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 35.22% | 31.98% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 75.20% | 64.67% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.31% and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 21.45% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Merck (MRK) at 8.01% and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 41.95% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.31% | 21.45% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 3.12% | 24.32% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 8.01% | 41.95% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 8.43% | 44.12% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.35 and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 2.04 run current ratio in the tighter-liquidity quartile of industry peers, leaving thinner cushions against current liabilities than typical competitors.
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
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.04
- Max
- 25.13
- Q3
- 12.13
- Median
- 5.52
- Q1
- 2.47
- NBIX
- 2.04
- Min
- 0.10
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 0.12 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Merck (MRK) at 1.20 uses more debt funding than most peers.
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
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.12
- Max
- 1.42
- Q3
- 0.65
- Median
- 0.15
- NBIX
- 0.12
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 2.04 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.20 | 0.12 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.50 | -0.27 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) 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.
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%
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- NBIX
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Merck (MRK) reports payout ratio above 100% at 343.43%, meaning dividends exceeded current-period earnings; Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) pays no dividend (payout 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%
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.00%
- NBIX
- 0.00%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.29% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 343.43% | 0.00% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 24.43 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Merck (MRK) at 148.21 sits above its peer range — an unusually expensive price for MRK’s trailing earnings.
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
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
24.43
- Max
- 85.34
- Q3
- 43.46
- Median
- 26.69
- NBIX
- 24.43
- Q1
- 13.30
- Min
- 0.07
P/S Ratio (TTM)
On P/S ratio, both Merck (MRK) at 5.37 and Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 4.50 are priced roughly in line with their industries — neither looks cheap nor rich on a sales basis.
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
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.50
- Max
- 58.18
- Q3
- 25.77
- Median
- 7.30
- NBIX
- 4.50
- Q1
- 3.01
- Min
- 0.01
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) at 4.30 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Merck (MRK) at 8.06 carries an above-peer premium to book — MRK is pricier on assets.
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
NBIX
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.30
- Max
- 13.53
- Q3
- 6.54
- NBIX
- 4.30
- Median
- 3.25
- Q1
- 1.69
- Min
- -5.59
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MRK | NBIX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 148.21 | 24.43 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 5.37 | 4.50 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 8.06 | 4.30 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 3.88% | 6.11% |