MRK vs. NTRA: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MRK and NTRA, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Natera, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Biotechnology |
| Market Capitalization | 206.59 billion USD | 21.64 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | July 1, 2015 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MRK and NTRA 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 2.91% | 11.78% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 2.83% | 0.26% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.06% | -9.96% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -27.11% | 36.83% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.88% | 17.99% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -16.86% | -0.38% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.29M | 2.07M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 15.38M | 1.41M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 29.65% | 37.25% |
| Beta | 0.37 | 1.77 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MRK
34.88%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 38.59%
- Q3
- 19.84%
- Median
- 11.90%
- Q1
- 5.63%
- Min
- -9.96%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s Return on Equity of 34.88% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NTRA
-18.29%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 77.14%
- Q3
- 10.76%
- Median
- -20.08%
- Q1
- -42.71%
- Min
- -119.20%
NTRA has a negative Return on Equity of -18.29%. 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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
25.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 34.51%
- Q3
- 17.73%
- Median
- 12.12%
- Q1
- 5.99%
- Min
- -7.73%
A Net Profit Margin of 25.79% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NTRA
-10.36%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 59.44%
- Q3
- 16.21%
- Median
- -11.49%
- Q1
- -167.42%
- Min
- -409.07%
NTRA has a negative Net Profit Margin of -10.36%, indicating the company is operating at a net loss as its expenses exceeded its revenues.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
30.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.53%
- Q3
- 23.00%
- Median
- 16.24%
- Q1
- 9.24%
- Min
- -6.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 30.00% 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.
NTRA
-12.41%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.62%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- -12.41%
- Q1
- -181.14%
- Min
- -482.02%
NTRA has a negative Operating Profit Margin of -12.41%. This signifies the company is unprofitable at the operational level, as its core business expenses exceed its revenue.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.88% | -18.29% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.04% | -11.68% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.79% | -10.36% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.00% | -12.41% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.32% | 61.79% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
1.42
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 4.49
- Q3
- 2.77
- Median
- 1.74
- Q1
- 1.26
- Min
- 0.11
MRK’s Current Ratio of 1.42 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NTRA
3.87
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 19.31
- Q3
- 9.38
- Median
- 4.54
- Q1
- 2.45
- Min
- 0.76
NTRA’s Current Ratio of 3.87 aligns with the median group of the Biotechnology industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
0.72
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 2.44
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.42
- Q1
- 0.11
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72 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.
NTRA
0.06
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 1.35
- Q3
- 0.64
- Median
- 0.09
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
NTRA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.06 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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MRK
19.65
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 103.95
- Q3
- 44.18
- Median
- 9.83
- Q1
- 2.82
- 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.
NTRA
-57.80
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 72.37
- Q3
- 1.91
- Median
- -7.81
- Q1
- -63.90
- Min
- -153.80
NTRA has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -57.80. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.42 | 3.87 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 3.58 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.65 | -57.80 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MRK
3.97%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.97%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
NTRA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NTRA 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MRK
48.95%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 165.20%
- Q3
- 90.59%
- Median
- 49.13%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 48.95% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NTRA
0.00%
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NTRA 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.97% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 48.95% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MRK
12.32
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.51
- Q3
- 26.88
- Median
- 19.11
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK’s P/E Ratio of 12.32 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
NTRA
--
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 60.14
- Q3
- 38.17
- Median
- 29.01
- Q1
- 15.12
- Min
- 0.00
P/E Ratio data for NTRA is currently unavailable.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MRK
3.18
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.18 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.
NTRA
11.77
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 76.98
- Q3
- 36.53
- Median
- 9.49
- Q1
- 4.49
- Min
- 0.00
NTRA’s P/S Ratio of 11.77 aligns with the market consensus for the Biotechnology industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
4.06
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 9.78
- Q3
- 4.96
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.46
- Min
- 0.60
MRK’s P/B Ratio of 4.06 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.
NTRA
15.42
Biotechnology Industry
- Max
- 20.53
- Q3
- 9.76
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 0.59
NTRA’s P/B Ratio of 15.42 is in the upper tier for the Biotechnology industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NTRA |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.32 | -- |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.18 | 11.77 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 15.42 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 13.73 | 232.00 |