MRK vs. NVSEF: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Here's a clear look at MRK and NVSEF, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Novartis AG |
| Country | United States | Switzerland |
| 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 | 295.77 billion USD | 299.05 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | OTC Markets OTCPK |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | April 26, 2010 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
MRK's market capitalization stands at 295.77 billion USD, while NVSEF's is 299.05 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MRK and NVSEF 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 | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.41% | 2.60% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 13.89% | 9.79% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 48.79% | 21.86% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 36.56% | 21.72% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -3.38% | -8.71% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 13.65% | 8.70% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 10.98M | 3.81M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 13.19M | 3.34M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.67% | 19.13% |
| Beta | 0.30 | 1.05 |
NVSEF carries a higher beta at 1.05, indicating it's more sensitive to market moves, while MRK (beta: 0.30) exhibits greater stability.
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MRK
36.19%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 20.27%
- Median
- 12.92%
- Q1
- 6.34%
- Min
- -14.55%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, MRK's Return on Equity of 36.19% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
NVSEF
32.75%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 39.28%
- Q3
- 20.27%
- Median
- 12.92%
- Q1
- 6.34%
- Min
- -14.55%
In the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, NVSEF's Return on Equity of 32.75% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
28.08%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.87%
- Q3
- 22.21%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 9.09%
- Min
- -8.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 28.08% places MRK in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NVSEF
24.83%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 41.87%
- Q3
- 22.21%
- Median
- 14.64%
- Q1
- 9.09%
- Min
- -8.35%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.83% places NVSEF in the upper quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MRK
32.64%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.93%
- Q3
- 25.68%
- Median
- 18.69%
- Q1
- 12.70%
- Min
- -4.35%
An Operating Profit Margin of 32.64% 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.
NVSEF
31.00%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 42.93%
- Q3
- 25.68%
- Median
- 18.69%
- Q1
- 12.70%
- Min
- -4.35%
An Operating Profit Margin of 31.00% places NVSEF 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 36.19% | 32.75% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.63% | 13.24% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.08% | 24.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.64% | 31.00% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.55% | 75.82% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
1.54
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.80
MRK's Current Ratio of 1.54 aligns with the median group of the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NVSEF
1.12
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.79
- Q3
- 3.64
- Median
- 2.17
- Q1
- 1.38
- Min
- 0.80
NVSEF's Current Ratio of 1.12 falls into the lower quartile for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
0.94
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.28
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
MRK's leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
NVSEF
0.77
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 1.60
- Q3
- 0.76
- Median
- 0.28
- Q1
- 0.03
- Min
- 0.00
NVSEF's leverage is in the upper quartile of the Pharmaceuticals industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.77. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MRK
32.78
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 154.61
- Q3
- 67.33
- Median
- 13.25
- Q1
- 2.96
- Min
- -27.02
MRK's Interest Coverage Ratio of 32.78 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NVSEF
15.76
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 154.61
- Q3
- 67.33
- Median
- 13.25
- Q1
- 2.96
- Min
- -27.02
NVSEF's Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.76 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Pharmaceuticals industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.54 | 1.12 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.30 | 0.89 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 0.77 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 32.78 | 15.76 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Revenue Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | 4.97% | 2.23% |
| Revenue Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 1.31% | 8.91% |
| 3-Year Revenue CAGR | 3.12% | 9.10% |
| 5-Year Revenue CAGR | 9.38% | 2.45% |
EPS Growth
EPS Growth at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| EPS Growth (MRQ vs Prior YoY) | -19.34% | -11.02% |
| EPS Growth (TTM vs Prior YoY) | 8.02% | 21.92% |
| 3-Year EPS CAGR | 8.43% | 31.22% |
| 5-Year EPS CAGR | 21.23% | 15.26% |
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MRK
2.76%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.35%
- Q3
- 3.00%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK's Dividend Yield of 2.76% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NVSEF
2.86%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.35%
- Q3
- 3.00%
- Median
- 1.84%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVSEF's Dividend Yield of 2.86% is consistent with its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MRK
44.79%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 188.03%
- Q3
- 80.63%
- Median
- 44.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MRK's Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.79% is within the typical range for the Pharmaceuticals industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NVSEF
102.24%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 188.03%
- Q3
- 80.63%
- Median
- 44.08%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NVSEF's Dividend Payout Ratio of 102.24% is above 100%. This means the company is paying out more in dividends than it earned, a practice that is often unsustainable and could indicate a risk to future dividend stability.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.76% | 2.86% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 44.79% | 102.24% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MRK
16.20
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.21
- Q3
- 26.28
- Median
- 18.77
- Q1
- 14.14
- Min
- 3.46
MRK's P/E Ratio of 16.20 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
NVSEF
19.53
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 40.21
- Q3
- 26.28
- Median
- 18.77
- Q1
- 14.14
- Min
- 3.46
NVSEF's P/E Ratio of 19.53 is within the middle range for the Pharmaceuticals industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MRK
4.55
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.19
- Q3
- 4.85
- Median
- 2.51
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.83
MRK's P/S Ratio of 4.55 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.
NVSEF
4.85
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.19
- Q3
- 4.85
- Median
- 2.51
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 0.83
NVSEF's P/S Ratio of 4.85 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MRK
4.97
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 10.12
- Q3
- 5.02
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.63
MRK's P/B Ratio of 4.97 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.
NVSEF
5.66
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 10.12
- Q3
- 5.02
- Median
- 2.39
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.63
NVSEF's P/B Ratio of 5.66 is in the upper tier for the Pharmaceuticals 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 | NVSEF |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 16.20 | 19.53 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.55 | 4.85 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.97 | 5.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 23.93 | 17.91 |