MRK vs. PHG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MRK and PHG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
MRK is a standard domestic stock, while PHG trades as New York Registered Shares, providing U.S. investors with a way to invest in the foreign-based company.
| Symbol | MRK | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Merck & Co., Inc. | Koninklijke Philips N.V. |
| Country | United States | Netherlands |
| GICS Sector | Health Care | Health Care |
| GICS Industry | Pharmaceuticals | Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
| Market Capitalization | 209.99 billion USD | 26.34 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | January 2, 1962 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | NY Reg Shrs |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MRK and PHG 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 | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.34% | -0.13% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 8.35% | 17.36% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -6.07% | -1.85% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -27.69% | -12.31% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.62% | 3.29% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -15.49% | -2.21% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 11.21M | 1.30M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 14.42M | 1.84M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.55% | 27.57% |
| Beta | 0.37 | 1.06 |
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.
PHG
-0.18%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 34.53%
- Q3
- 19.38%
- Median
- 9.52%
- Q1
- 4.86%
- Min
- -7.58%
PHG has a negative Return on Equity of -0.18%. 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.
PHG
0.90%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 23.34%
- Q3
- 13.06%
- Median
- 9.53%
- Q1
- 5.96%
- Min
- -3.87%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, PHG’s Net Profit Margin of 0.90% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
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.
PHG
6.11%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 29.44%
- Q3
- 17.80%
- Median
- 13.95%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.56%
PHG’s Operating Profit Margin of 6.11% is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 34.88% | -0.18% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 14.04% | -0.08% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 25.79% | 0.90% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 30.00% | 6.11% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 78.32% | 43.85% |
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.
PHG
1.26
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 3.05
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.49
- Min
- 0.86
PHG’s Current Ratio of 1.26 falls into the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies 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
0.72
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.
PHG
0.81
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.71
- Median
- 0.45
- Q1
- 0.14
- Min
- 0.00
PHG’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.81. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
PHG
1.41
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 58.29
- Q3
- 25.56
- Median
- 9.06
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- -28.92
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, PHG’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.41 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.42 | 1.26 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.17 | 0.81 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 0.81 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 19.65 | 1.41 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MRK
3.77%
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 6.98%
- Q3
- 3.32%
- Median
- 2.13%
- Q1
- 0.14%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.77%, MRK offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Pharmaceuticals industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
PHG
0.00%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 4.05%
- Q3
- 1.76%
- Median
- 0.71%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PHG’s Dividend Yield of 0.00% is consistent with its peers in the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
PHG
0.42%
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 160.00%
- Q3
- 72.47%
- Median
- 27.49%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
PHG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.42% is within the typical range for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.77% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 48.95% | 0.42% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MRK
12.97
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 12.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
PHG
140.05
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 73.48
- Q3
- 51.69
- Median
- 34.31
- Q1
- 25.74
- Min
- 11.47
At 140.05, PHG’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MRK
3.35
Pharmaceuticals Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.54
- Median
- 2.11
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.00
MRK’s P/S Ratio of 3.35 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.
PHG
1.26
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 9.53
- Q3
- 5.26
- Median
- 3.39
- Q1
- 2.13
- Min
- 0.00
In the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry, PHG’s P/S Ratio of 1.26 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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.
PHG
1.89
Health Care Equipment & Supplies Industry
- Max
- 10.85
- Q3
- 5.98
- Median
- 3.48
- Q1
- 2.43
- Min
- 0.69
PHG’s P/B Ratio of 1.89 is in the lower quartile for the Health Care Equipment & Supplies industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MRK | PHG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 12.97 | 140.05 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.35 | 1.26 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.06 | 1.89 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 14.46 | 14.66 |