MRK vs. NVO: Merck vs. Novo Nordisk Stock Comparison
This page compares Merck (MRK) with Novo Nordisk (NVO) using performance and risk, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividends, and valuation metrics.
Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Performance at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Return | 50.79% | -43.24% |
Risk
Drawdown
Risk at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Volatility | 27.18% | 51.89% |
| Beta | 0.20 | 0.77 |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 9.77M | 16.09M |
Company Profile
Merck (MRK) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) are both classified in the Pharmaceuticals sub-industry within the broader Pharmaceuticals industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
Merck (MRK) trades as ordinary local shares, while Novo Nordisk (NVO) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.
| Profile Item | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Novo Nordisk A/S Sponsored ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | Denmark |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry Group | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences | Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals |
| Market Capitalization | 294.03 billion USD | 194.35 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | April 30, 1981 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 10.30 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Merck (MRK) at 33.54 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for NVO, though growth and earnings durability still matter.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
33.54
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- MRK
- 33.54
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- Min
- 1.70
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
10.30
- Max
- 77.14
- Q3
- 43.78
- Median
- 24.68
- Q1
- 15.27
- NVO
- 10.30
- Min
- 1.70
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.59 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Merck (MRK) at 4.47 prices around its industry’s middle — NVO costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.47
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- MRK
- 4.47
- Q1
- 3.30
- Min
- 0.01
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.59
- Max
- 55.38
- Q3
- 24.42
- Median
- 6.98
- Q1
- 3.30
- NVO
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.01
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 6.22 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Merck (MRK) at 6.41 carries an above-peer premium to book — MRK is pricier on assets.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.41
- Max
- 13.23
- MRK
- 6.41
- Q3
- 6.38
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
6.22
- Max
- 13.23
- Q3
- 6.38
- NVO
- 6.22
- Median
- 3.46
- Q1
- 1.64
- Min
- -5.17
Valuation at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 33.54 | 10.30 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.47 | 0.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.41 | 6.22 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield | 4.78% | -6.19% |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 18.94% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 71.40% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
18.94%
- Max
- 101.32%
- MRK
- 18.94%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
71.40%
- Max
- 101.32%
- NVO
- 71.40%
- Q3
- 2.92%
- Median
- -31.26%
- Q1
- -62.68%
- Min
- -158.89%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 13.59% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 37.21% keep an unusually large share of revenue as bottom-line profit — each net margin clears its industry’s benchmark range.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
13.59%
- MRK
- 13.59%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
37.21%
- NVO
- 37.21%
- Max
- 12.76%
- Q3
- 4.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -2.26%
- Min
- -11.53%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 38.60% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 61.57% 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
38.60%
- Max
- 100.30%
- MRK
- 38.60%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
61.57%
- Max
- 100.30%
- NVO
- 61.57%
- Q3
- 4.40%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- -131.52%
- Min
- -333.43%
Profitability at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 18.94% | 71.40% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 12.58% | 19.25% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.59% | 37.21% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 38.60% | 61.57% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 76.73% | 83.20% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year Revenue Growth | 1.31% | 6.43% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 3.12% | 20.43% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Year EPS Growth | 8.01% | 1.77% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 8.43% | 23.52% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.30 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.79 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
1.30
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- MRK
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.23
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.79
- Max
- 24.81
- Q3
- 11.75
- Median
- 5.57
- Q1
- 2.69
- NVO
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.23
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
Both Merck (MRK) at 1.07 and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 0.72 lean more heavily on debt funding than most peers, landing in the higher-leverage quartile of their industries.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
1.07
- Max
- 1.60
- MRK
- 1.07
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
0.72
- Max
- 1.60
- NVO
- 0.72
- Q3
- 0.68
- Median
- 0.15
- Q1
- 0.02
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.79 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.07 | 0.72 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 1.47 | 0.72 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 2.86% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 4.11% yield above their industries’ entire benchmark ranges — high enough that dividend safety, not income, becomes the first question.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
2.86%
- MRK
- 2.86%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
4.11%
- NVO
- 4.11%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Merck (MRK) at 93.52% and Novo Nordisk (NVO) at 42.59% pay out more of their earnings than any of their industry peers — the thinnest cover in their groups, so dividend headroom deserves attention.
MRK
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
93.52%
- MRK
- 93.52%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVO
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences industry group
42.59%
- NVO
- 42.59%
- Max
- 0.00%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividends at a Glance
| Metric | MRK | NVO |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.86% | 4.11% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 93.52% | 42.59% |